Butterfly Science Projects

Create a Butterfly Garden

• Students of all ages will enjoy creating a butterfly garden to attract butterflies. A combination of food and host plants should be planted to attract adult butterflies who will feed and mate. The female butterflies will in turn seek out host plants to lay their eggs on, which will allow you to further observe the life cycle of the butterfly (from caterpillar (larva), to pupa (chrysalis) and finally, adult butterfly).

  A butterfly garden should be located in a sunny location. Perennials (including native wildflowers), annuals, shrubs and trees should be planted to attract a large variety of butterfly species. Place a bench in the butterfly garden for seated observation.

  To complete this science project, research native butterflies in your area then plan out a strategy for creating a butterfly garden including flowers that will attract the species found locally. After making plans, create the garden to complete the project.

Identify Caterpillars and Butterflies

• Use a digital camera to take photos of caterpillars and butterflies observed in your yard or butterfly garden. Buy a notebook to make notes about the behavior and appearances of the butterflies and caterpillars you observe, and use this information to correctly identify the caterpillars and butterflies.

  Online websites and field guides are valuable tools to aid in visual identification of butterflies and caterpillars.

Rear Caterpillars

• A hands-on butterfly science project that is fascinating to complete is to rear caterpillars through their life cycle stages until they become adult butterflies. This can be done by ordering caterpillar rearing kits from online educational science retailers or by collecting caterpillars from your yard to rear.

  A purchased caterpillar rearing kit will include a butterfly hut to keep the caterpillars in and allow them space to move around and form chrysalides before emerging as adult butterflies. These kits will include commercially-prepared food for the caterpillars.

  When collecting caterpillars from your yard or garden, use a purchased butterfly hut or a lidded aquarium to house the butterflies. You must provide fresh leaves that are specific host plants for the caterpillar species you are observing.