To raise a caterpillar through the chrysalis or pupa to the adult moth or butterfly is an excellent lesson about insect metamorphosis. All you need is a caterpillar, some of its favored food, and a suitable container. You can find caterpillars on most plants during the spring and early summer. Put the caterpillar and a few fresh leaves in a widemouth jar or plastic shoebox. Cover the jar mouth with netting or a piece of nylon.
Every day change the leaves and provide dry paper towels to help prevent mold.
The insect will hatch in 10-14 days, if it does not overwinter. Before releasing it you can photograph your prize. These insects keep the butterfly and moth populations under natural control. Caterpillars have opposable toothed mandibles to chew their food. These can be seen with a magnifying glass.