• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

PreKinders

Ideas for Pre-K & Preschool Teachers

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Help
    • Printing Help
  • Shop
  • Learning Areas
    • Literacy
    • Math
    • Science
    • Art
    • Music
    • Fine Motor
    • Christian Activities
  • Themes
  • Teaching Ideas
    • Centers
    • Teaching Tips
    • Assessment
    • Back to School
    • End of Year
  • Printables
    • Literacy Printables
    • Math Printables
    • Science Printables
    • Music Printables
    • Visual Discrimination Printables
    • Classroom Management Printables

How to Raise Butterflies

By Bren | Affiliate Disclosure | Filed Under: Bug Theme

Every spring my preschool class plants parsley seeds with the hope that we’ll have black swallowtail butterflies in the fall.  Black swallowtail butterflies inhabit most regions of the United States (except the northwest).

How to Raise Butterflies

Today’s post is written by Bren, a contributor to PreKinders.

We plant the parsley seeds in a big pot and put it in a sunny spot in the yard, watering it occasionally.  In September, we start looking for tiny caterpillars.  When they are between a half-inch and an inch long we set up a cage for them and move them inside.  If you wait for them to get much bigger birds will get them (we know from personal experience).

Raising Butterflies

Fill a small plastic cup with water and cover with a piece of plastic wrap.  Use a rubber band to secure and poke a few small holes in the top (the plastic wrap keeps the caterpillars from falling in the water and drowning).  Stick some parsley from your plant through the holes.  To move the caterpillars to the cage, cut the piece of parsley they’re on close to the base of the plant and stick the stems through the holes.

Raising Butterflies

Over the next few weeks the caterpillars will eat and grow.  You can get additional parsley from the grocery store if necessary, making sure to wash it thoroughly.  Always make sure there’s water in the cup.

When you notice that the caterpillars are devouring the parsley faster than before, it’s a sign that they are about to make their chrysalis.  They will attach themselves to the top of the cage and in a week or so you’ll have butterflies.  We always release them as soon as their wings are dry.

Raising Butterflies

Raising Butterflies

Find more Bug Activities for Pre-K on the category page.

Get FREE updates!
Join here to get weekly emails with free printables and activities for Pre-K!
We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!

About Bren

Bren is a contributing writer for PreKinders.com. She is a Pre-K teacher in Illinois.

Primary Sidebar

Visit My Shop! 

Welcome!

Glad you're here! You'll find hands-on learning activities, themes, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten kids. I'm Karen Cox, a Pre-K teacher in Georgia. I have taught 4-5 year olds for 20+ years! Read More…

Before Footer

WE BELIEVE IN HANDS-ON, ACTIVE, & PLAYFUL LEARNING TO INSPIRE YOUNG MINDS

Serving Pre-K teachers, parents, & kids worldwide since 2000

Get Our Free Weekly Newsletter

  • Contact
  • Free Updates
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · PreKinders.com

Get FREE weekly updates!
Join here to get weekly emails with free printables and activities for Pre-K!
We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!
Get FREE updates!
Join here to get weekly emails with free printables and activities for Pre-K!
We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!