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. Click on small image to download full-sized image. Click on hatch to see full-sized image on a Web page.