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Congratulations!
You are about to raise and release your own butterfly into the world.
Raising your butterflies
Inside the souffle cup is enough food for the larvae to reach their last instar (stage before chrysalis). It will take about 8 days for the caterpillars to grow large enough to form a chrysalis. One by one, the larvae will climb to the top of the cup. They may spend several days hanging upside down.
It is important not to disturb this process. Do not touch the cup until all the chrysalides have formed. Once ALL the larvae have been enclosed in their chrysalises for 24-48 hours, gently remove the lid of the souffle cup. You can either “pin” the lid to the side or top of the tent, or simply lay it down/prop it up on the bottom of the enclosure.
If a chrysalis happens to fall off the lid- no worries! Gently lay it on the bottom of the enclosure near a side wall. The butterflies will stay in chrysalis form for about 12 days. Regardless of where you place the chrysalides, once the butterflies emerge, they will climb up the mesh to the top. It is important Not to touch the butterflies for 24 hours after emergence. This gives their wings time to inflate and “harden off.” If you see a pinkish liquid in the enclosure, do not be alarmed. This is not blood, but meconium (extra fluid) that is released after the transformation (metamorphosis) process and the butterfly emerges. This is normal and healthy!
Raising your butterfly
After the 24-hour hardening-off period, it is important to release the butterflies outside in a safe environment (away from the road!) so they can find food (nectar). They are hungry! Carry the pop-up habitat outside. Fully unzip the screen door. Gently place your finger in front of a butterfly, encouraging it to move onto your finger. You can also gently pick it up by using your thumb and forefinger to hold the wings nearest its body. The butterflies’ wings should be closed together. Be extra careful not to damage its wings (this happens if the wings are open and/or you grab the top/outside edge of their wings).
Did you know that holding a butterfly upside down can help calm them?
Release your butterfly!
Once you have the butterfly out of the enclosure, simply let it go!
You can place it in the palm or back of your hand or other surface. The butterfly will likely linger for a moment, spreading its wings and getting its bearings, before it takes flight in search of nectar!
You did it!
Thank you for helping the environment and replenishing our much-needed pollinators.
Clean out and disinfect the pop-up habitat and use it again later!
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Don’t forget to take pictures throughout the growth process and release!