key point
- Watching the incredible metamorphosis of a larva to a butterfly is a hobby that many people pursue.
- Of the 20,000 species of animals there, many have traits that make them unsuitable for captivity.
- Many butterflies sleep in winter, and many don’t survive spring, which is why you should choose wisely.
Breeding butterflies from larval to adult stages is a satisfying and educational hobby. It allows you to observe the amazing transformation of your home from the safety of a simple habitat. Because of their tameness and ease of handling, butterflies are the easiest of all insects to keep and care for. But you should also remember that they are not really pets. While they do tolerate captivity well, and might even climb on you if you allow them, they’re there to be observed and admired, not interacted with all the time.
The process of raising them can begin from the moment the caterpillars first break out of their eggs sometime in the spring and early summer. When they become adults, the butterflies will need to be released from their habitat, unless of course you have a more permanent enclosure designed for adults and larvae. This article will cover some helpful tips on keeping butterflies, including which species to choose and which supplies to buy.
What type of butterfly should you choose?
The first step is to choose the species of butterfly you want to keep. There are approximately 20,000 species of butterflies worldwide, with hundreds in the United States alone. There are plenty to choose from, to say the least. The monarch, painted lady, red admiral, and swallowtail butterflies are some of the most popular and also happen to be the easiest to keep. But there’s one factor you’ll want to consider first: location. It is highly recommended that you choose a species that already exists in your area. This will ensure it will thrive and reproduce once released into the wild.
There are generally two methods of obtaining butterflies. The first way is to catch one from the wild (either eggs or larvae). You can even start your own garden at home with host plants and flowers suitable for local butterfly habitats. Another way is to buy a butterfly or special kit from the store. If you go this route, then you should be absolutely sure it’s a native species. Otherwise, it may have difficulty surviving in the wild.
Another important factor to consider when choosing: Some species “overwinter” (or spend the entire winter in a deep sleep) as eggs or larvae. These species include brushfoot, copper, cloudless sulfur, and pine white. They’re not the easiest to raise because they take a lot of time and effort to get right. The best strategy here is to place them in a cool or protected outdoor area with moderate humidity and drafts. If you don’t want to deal with hassle, then don’t choose overwintering species.
What kind of supplies do you need?
The first and most important supply you will need is a suitable host plant, where butterflies feed and live from their larvae. Each species has a different host plant: monarch butterflies need milkweed or butterfly grass, nabis need thistles, giant swallowtails need rue, etc. Always do your research first to make sure you are pairing your butterfly with the correct host plant. It could be the difference between life and death.
The second thing you need is some kind of habitat. Some people prefer a simple tank (at least 10 gallons large) with a screen glass container lid. Others prefer to use a mesh pop-up habitat or other butterfly-specific containers. The size should be proportional to the number of butterflies you are keeping in the habitat.
For serious butterfly lovers, a glass-enclosed greenhouse or large wooden butterfly house outdoors is another option; this will allow you to keep multiple adult butterflies, each with plenty of space, food, and water. The setup can run the gamut from a simple box to an elaborate greenhouse structure. It all depends on how much time, energy and money you want to invest.
Once a suitable habitat has been selected, the bottom of the container should be filled with soil or soft felt, and a few sticks added; also make sure the host plant is firmly secured in the pot or water-filled pot with a suitable lid . Place the host plant in the habitat first and give it some time to thrive before adding the butterfly. In the early larval stage, the caterpillar spends all of its time clinging to the host plant. If it falls, then you should make sure it can climb back onto a stick or wall. During the pupal stage, butterflies cocoon on walls, screens or sticks.
If you’re just starting out as a butterfly lover and still don’t know what to do, you can always buy a simple butterfly starter kit. These will provide almost all the supplies you need to get started, including habitat, host plants, some water, and sometimes even the caterpillars themselves. The Butterfly Starter Kit also comes with instructions on how you should care for your butterfly.
How much does it cost to raise a butterfly?
It’s really not that expensive to keep just one or two butterflies at a time. A basic butterfly starter kit can cost between $20 and $50. The cost is about the same (maybe even slightly less) if you gather all the supplies and materials yourself. On the other hand, if you plan to build a more elaborate case, it can easily cost you several hundred dollars. It depends on how much you want to invest in keeping and carrying butterflies.
Should you keep your habitat indoors or outdoors?
It all comes down to personal choice. Outdoor habitats provide more natural sunlight, but also mean exposure to potential predators and threats. Indoor habitats in your home offer more protection and allow you to better observe butterflies. But keep in mind that some habitats, such as greenhouses or butterfly boxes, are better suited outdoors than indoors.
How long does it take for a butterfly to become an adult?
The answer to this question really depends on the species, but in general, you can expect it to take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for butterflies to become adults. Some hobbyists like to start with eggs so they can observe the butterfly’s entire life cycle. The eggs usually only take a few days to hatch. However, the larval butterfly, also known as the caterpillar, is usually the longest stage in its life cycle. It can last from a few days to several months. During this time, it goes through several “age” stages, during which it molts and grows. Monarch butterflies, for example, take about three to five days to complete each individual instar.
Once the larva has finished growing, it enters the pupal stage, where the butterfly wraps itself in a silk cocoon and transforms into an adult. This cocooning period usually does not exceed a few weeks. Most species should complete their entire transition to adults in summer or early fall, but as mentioned earlier, some species overwinter as eggs or larvae.
When adult butterflies emerge from their cocoons, their wings become damp and useless. You should wait at least a few hours before releasing the butterfly. If necessary, you can offer the butterfly a little nectar or sugar water before releasing it. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your butterfly adventure. If you want adult butterflies to hang out near your home, then consider planting flowers in your garden to attract butterflies. Each species specializes in a different flower, so you should do your research first.
Is captive breeding migratory butterflies a good idea?
Whether keeping migratory butterflies is a good idea, especially if kept indoors, is certainly a topic of debate. Previous research seemed to suggest that keeping butterflies in captivity had a negative impact on their ability to travel south for the winter. Butterflies become disorientated and unable to navigate properly. However, another study in June 2021 actually showed that migratory butterflies in captivity can find their way south, given enough time to correctly position their internal compass. More research on the topic is needed to be sure one way or the other.
The monarch butterfly is the most prominent migratory butterfly; it migrates to California and Mexico every year. But other species also migrate from time to time, including Painted Lady, Common Buckeye, Red Admiral, and Cloudless Brimstone. Do your research first to be sure.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.