Painted Lady Caterpillar Cup

This is a great kit for classroom studies or just watching the wonderful metamorphosis process. This kit is simple but contains everything you"ll need to raise Painted Lady Butterflies from a larval stage to an adult. We have these in stock and ready to ship.

This is a LIVE BUTTERFLY CULTURE. This culture includes 3 Painted Lady butterfly larvae (caterpillars) in a deli cup with food and a vented lid. We also include instructions for rearing and caring for your new critters. The larvae (caterpillars) will form a chrysalis on the lid of this self-contained unit. Once they emerge they can be removed to a flight cage of your choice.

This kit will include a container of 3 caterpillars with pre-made food in the bottom and rearing instructions. The food in the bottom of the cup will be enough for all your caterpillar for the whole growing process, no more food will be needed.

Caterpillar (larva): The caterpillar eats continually for 5 to 10 days before it pupates. The caterpillar is up to 1.75 inches long. It builds a silky, webbed nest as it feeds. As the larva grows, it sheds its skin (this is called molting) or a instar.

Chrysalis (pupa): When the caterpillar has grown to the right size, it pupates. It hangs upside-down from a leaf (called "j"ing), branch or container lid, and attaches itself with a single silken string with a body part part called a cremaster. An adult forms from the caterpillar, whose internal structure changes completely. The chrysalis becomes almost transparent when the butterfly is about to emerge. An adult will emerge about 7 to 10 days after the chrysalis has formed.

Adult: When an adult emerges from the split chrysalis, it hangs upside down and pumps blood into its four wings, inflating them.Then it waits for its delicate wings to dry. It can fly a few hours after emerging. Be sure to have Gatorade or sugar water for the newly hatched butterflies to eat. Keep them warm and out of direct sunlight. Cut slices of apples or bananas can be given to them to eat as well. Very Important - Please note that we carry all USDA permits to ship butterflies, pupa or eggs across state lines.

Our Guarantee: We guarantee 2 out of every 3 caterpillars to become happy adult butterflies. Please do not order if below 40 degrees or above 85 degrees in your area. Our live arrival guaranty will be void if ordered during these temperatures.

Notes: We know there are many butterfly rearing kits on the internet. Why should you choose ours?
We are the farm that grows the caterpillars. Not a second or third party reseller. We rear thousands of caterpillars and have great experience with them. We are just a phone call or email away for help.