How to Hatch Butterfly Eggs

Butterfly Eggs

• 1

  Become familiar with what a butterfly egg looks like so you can find them. Butterfly eggs are small, ranging from 1 to 2 millimeters. The shape of the butterfly egg varies, but in most cases the eggs are oval. Eggs may be laid in clusters or singly, depending on the species of butterfly. (see reference 1)

• 2

  Find butterfly eggs by searching the leaves of flowers and plants. Butterfly eggs are held fast to the plants by a sticky fluid the butterfly secrets when laying the eggs. Look for butterfly eggs on the top or underside of a leaf, inside a flowering plant and even on the stem of a plant or flower. (see reference 3)

• 3

  Transfer the butterfly eggs to a glass-topped box. Make sure the box is secure so that when the caterpillars hatch they will not escape. (see reference 2)

Caring for Caterpillars

• 4

  Give caterpillars constant attention once they hatch. Keep them in clean containers and provide fresh food such as a leafy plant.

• 5

  Provide larger living quarters for the caterpillars as they grow. Use a wooden box netting for best results.

• 6

  Allow the caterpillar to rest when needed. Caterpillars will rest as needed to change into chrysalids. Do not disturb them at this time.

Final Stages

• 7

  Scatter the floor of the cage with soil, leaves and grass. Watch as your caterpillars turn into chrysalids. As they change they will slowly fall to the floor of the cage.

• 8

  Keep an eye on the chrysalids during this time of rest. Shortly after they descend they will transform into butterflies.

• 9

  Watch as the chrysalids change and become darker. You can often see the color of the butterfly's wings through the chrysalis, which happens a day or two before the butterfly emerges.

• 10

  Carefully watch the chrysalis as it cracks. Usually within two or three minutes a butterfly will emerge.