Insects

E has been learning Life Science. She learned about insects, and got to raise some butterflies. 

Day 1, when we got our larvae

Day 6

Day 8

Day 11

One of the caterpillars took an extra two days to climb to the top of the cup and form it's chrysalis. The day after he did so, we moved them to the butterfly cage.

Day 19

Day 27

Day 28

The same late caterpillar was late again to emerge from his chrysalis.

This whole process took MUCH longer (about twice the time) than the science text AND the pamphlet that came with the kit said it should have.

We put sugar water in the bottom as instructed, we waited about one day after the last butterfly emerged, then wanted to release them. When we went to get the cage (we had to move it downstairs because the cat kept getting to it), all but TWO of the butterfly were DEAD.

It didn't seem to bother the kids so much. But it bothered ME. I don't know if we just got some larvae that were duds, but they took so long to go through the process and then lasted only a few days.

Day 30

It was still a fun and exciting thing however. Everyone in the family took interest in the caterpillars and how much bigger they'd gotten each day, and if they seemed to be starting to form their chrysalis, and when they were going to emerge. It was actually quite exciting to watch them come out and dry their wings. I'd love to do this again.