We had great fun watching our little caterpillars transform into beautiful painted lady butterflies. Alas, it was time to say goodbye to Sky, Mary, Little flower, Missy and Frederick. We released them and waved goodbye, as we know they have such an important job to do now. Butterflies play a huge role in pollination, as do bees and wasps. So we need to look after them all, as best we can!
Our little friends will live for approximately 5 more weeks(max), laying their own little eggs elsewhere, for the cycle of life to start all over again.

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Our very first Painted Lady Butterfly has emerged from its Chrysalis. It is just getting used to its habitat right now. It will stay here for 3 days before being released with its friends. In the mean time we will feed it nectar and leave fruit and flowers for it to explore.

It has been really interesting so far, observing the changes that have occurred in our caterpillars, in one week! They started off so tiny and look at them now. They have been feeding so well and alot of waste, called frass, is evident in the jars. They have shed their exoskeleton a few times also! Some of the caterpillars are making attempts to hang in their ‘j’ shape, which means that very soon they will have to be transferred to their butterfly habitat! Exciting! Before transferring, they will form a chrysalis and while in the butterfly habitat, the last stage of metamorphosis will occur over time , resulting in,fingers crossed, our beautiful painted lady butterfly’s emerging soon after! We will keep you posted!