Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Garden – Watch the Magic of Metamorphosis

Bring one of nature's most spectacular transformations into your home with the Butterfly Garden by Insect Lore. This award-winning STEM educational kit lets you observe the complete life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) – from tiny caterpillar to beautiful butterfly.

What's in the Box?

• Pop-up habitat (30 cm tall) – reusable, with ultra-clear mesh for excellent observation
• Feeding pipette – for providing sugar water to your newly emerged butterflies
• Illustrated instructions – step-by-step guide through every stage of development
• Dimensions: 30 × 30 × 3.5 cm (folded)

Please note: This set does not include live caterpillars. Painted Lady caterpillars must be ordered separately from a European supplier (seasonally available, typically March to September).

The Life Cycle – What Happens When?

1. Days 1–10: Caterpillar stage – The caterpillars eat, grow and moult several times, growing up to 10 times their original size.
2. Days 10–12: Pupation – They hang upside down and form a chrysalis. Don't disturb them!
3. Days 18–21: Emergence – After about a week in the chrysalis, the adult butterflies emerge. A truly magical moment!
4. Days 21–24: Observe & release – Watch your butterflies for 2–3 days, feed them sugar water or fresh flowers, then release them into the wild.

The entire process takes approximately 3 weeks from caterpillar to butterfly.

Educational Value

• Hands-on biology – children learn the complete insect life cycle first-hand
• Patience and responsibility – daily observation and care builds mindfulness
• Environmental awareness – releasing butterflies teaches the importance of pollinators
• STEM-accredited – perfect for home learning, schools and kindergartens

Tips for the Best Experience

• Best season: Order caterpillars between April and August for ideal temperatures
• Location: Place the habitat in a bright spot away from direct sunlight
• Feeding: Dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar in half a cup of water on a cotton pad. Fresh flowers or orange slices also work well
• Release: Choose a sunny, warm day (above 15 °C) – ideally in the morning

Frequently Asked Questions

Are caterpillars included?
No. The kit includes the habitat, feeding pipette and instructions. Live Painted Lady caterpillars must be ordered separately from a European supplier (seasonal availability, approx. March to September).

How long until the butterflies emerge?
About 3 weeks from the time you place the caterpillars in the habitat.

What species of butterfly is raised?
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) – one of the most widespread and resilient butterfly species in the world.

What age is this suitable for?
Insect Lore recommends ages 4 and up (with adult supervision).

Can I keep the butterflies?
Butterflies should be released after 2–3 days. In the wild, Painted Ladies live about 2–4 weeks and actively contribute to the ecosystem as pollinators.