As a kid, I was always fond of gardening and could spend hours watching butterflies. It was my favorite hobby. I loved the different colors of butterfly wings and often wondered if I could raise one someday when I grew up. Well, it turns out, I can. If you are anything like me, and butterflies are your first love, then this guide is for you. In this blog, I’ll walk you through every stage of raising butterflies and share everything you need to know. So, let’s get into the guide.
Here are some of the steps you might want to know if you are planning to raise butterflies.
Step One: Identification and Plants
Credit: gardenia.net
Now, we know that there are several types of butterflies. Some are easier to raise than others. Some need very specific plants and conditions. Knowing which species you want to raise will make your project successful.
Common Butterfly Species for Beginners
Here are some common types of butterflies I learned about:
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Monarchs – Famous for their orange and black wings. Their caterpillar eggs are laid on milkweed. Monarchs are a favorite choice for beginners.
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Painted Ladies – Hardy, adaptable, and easy to raise. Caterpillars eat many plants, which makes them flexible.
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Swallowtails – Striking butterflies with large, colorful wings. Caterpillars love herbs like parsley, fennel, and dill.
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Queen of Butterfly species – The queen butterfly caterpillar feeds on milkweed like monarchs. Its queen butterfly pupa is equally stunning to observe.
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Buckeye butterfly caterpillar – Recognizable for its bold markings and easy to care for.
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Bordered patch butterfly – A colorful species often raised in warmer regions.
Starting with one of these species is a great idea. They are common, beautiful, and well studied, so you can raise them better.
Host Plants vs Nectar Plants
As I dug deeper, I got to know that butterflies need two types of plants in their environment.
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Host plants – These are where the female butterfly lays butterfly eggs. Caterpillars will only eat these specific plants.
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Nectar plants – These provide food for the adult butterfly. They sip nectar to gain energy.
Examples
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Monarchs need milkweed for their caterpillars.
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Swallowtails thrive on parsley or fennel.
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Painted ladies love thistle, mallow, or hollyhock.
When planning your garden or setup, try to include both. This way, you provide a complete life cycle environment, improving your chances of raising a butterfly.
Step Two: The Butterfly Life Cycle
Folks, if you are planning to raise a butterfly, this stage is important to understand. Every butterfly goes through four main stages. Each stage has its own beauty and challenges.
The Egg Stage
Well, it all begins with a tiny egg. A female butterfly carefully chooses the right plant and lays her eggs.
The eggs are very small, sometimes smaller than a pinhead. Some are round, while others may look oval or ribbed.
Eggs usually hatch within three to five days. Warmer weather can make them hatch faster. When they hatch, tiny caterpillars emerge, ready to eat.
Caterpillar Stage
This is the eating and growing stage. Caterpillars spend almost all their time eating host plant leaves.
They grow fast, sometimes doubling in size every day.
As they grow, they shed their skin several times. This is called molting. Each stage between molts is called an instar. Caterpillars usually go through five instars.
In just one to two weeks, the caterpillar becomes much larger than when it first hatched. This stage is busy, messy, and fun to watch. Caterpillars also produce droppings, called frass, which you’ll need to clean.
At this point, a caterpillar protector or caterpillar aquarium can be useful. These help keep them safe from pests and give you a better view.
If you’re interested in learning more about keeping your caterpillars safe from pests, check out our classes and sessions. Book your class and you’ll learn about pest control like never before. They’re perfect for anyone looking to protect their garden, plants, and insects from unwanted critters.
Chrysalis (Pupa) Stage
Once fully grown, the caterpillar stops eating. It searches for a safe place, often a twig or side of the habitat. Then it forms a silk pad and hangs upside down in a “J” shape.
Soon, it sheds its last skin and reveals a chrysalis. This stage looks calm from the outside. But inside, the caterpillar is completely changing. Muscles, wings, and patterns are forming.
The chrysalis stage usually lasts about 7–14 days. Some butterflies may stay longer if the weather is cooler. This is the stage where you’ll see the queen butterfly pupa or monarch chrysalis develop into something amazing.
The Butterfly Stage
Finally, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. At first, its wings look small, soft, and wrinkled. The butterfly pumps fluid through the wings to expand them.
It rests for a few hours while the wings harden. Then it is ready to fly. As an adult, the butterfly’s main focus is to sip nectar, mate, and lay eggs. This begins the cycle all over again.
Step Three: Supplies You Will Need
Credit: monarchbutterflylifecycle.com
The good news is that you don’t need much to raise butterflies. But the right supplies will make the process smooth and safe.
Here’s a simple list:
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Butterfly cage or net cage for butterflies – A mesh cage or clear container with air holes. This keeps them safe while giving air circulation.
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Butterfly net or butterfly nets – Useful for gently catching butterflies if you are starting from the wild.
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Host plants – Fresh leaves for caterpillars to eat. Without the right plant, they cannot survive.
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Water source – Lightly mist leaves with water. Caterpillars get their moisture from the leaves.
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Paper towels – Line the bottom of the habitat. This makes it easier to clean frass.
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Sticks or twigs – Caterpillars need a place to hang while forming their chrysalis.
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Butterfly incubator – Optional, but helps control temperature and humidity in some climates.
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A spray bottle – Helps maintain humidity in dry conditions.
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Magnifying glass – Optional, but wonderful for watching small details up close.
One of the most important things to notice here is that the habitat should be in a quiet, bright place, but not in direct hot sun. Replace leaves daily so caterpillars always have fresh food. If you’re concerned about the butterfly raising cost, don’t worry, most supplies are affordable and reusable.
Step Four: Setting Butterflies Free
When the butterfly’s wings are fully dry and strong, it’s time to release them. This is the most rewarding moment of the whole process.
Choose a warm, sunny day with little wind. Take the cage for butterflies outside and gently open it. Let the butterfly leave on its own.
Sometimes, they fly away at once. Other times, they sit for a while and test their wings. Both are normal.
Watching them fly into the garden or sky feels magical. You’ll know you helped nature in a very real way.
If you’ve enjoyed this journey and want to explore more about caring for your garden or raising more butterflies, check out our services at Buglady. We offer expert advice and products to make your garden experiences even better!
Final Words
So, what did we learn? Butterfly raising is more than just a hobby. It is a chance to connect with nature and make a difference.
You’ll see one of nature’s most amazing transformations up close. From caterpillar eggs to caterpillars, from chrysalis to butterfly; it’s a story of change, growth, and beauty.
With a few plants, a safe butterfly cage, and some patience, you can bring this magic to your own home.
When you finally release your butterfly, you’ll feel proud, amazed, and inspired. It’s a gift both to you and to the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s see what most people ask about raising butterflies.
Can I raise butterflies indoors?
Yes. Just make sure they have enough space, light, and air circulation. A caterpillar aquarium or butterfly cage works well.
How long does it take from egg to butterfly?
Most species take about three to four weeks. Some may take longer in cooler weather.
What do I feed caterpillars?
Only the leaves of their specific host plants. Do not feed them fruit or vegetables.
Do butterflies need water?
Not directly. They sip nectar. You can also provide sugar water on a sponge for adults.
Can I keep butterflies as pets?
It’s best to release them. They are wild creatures and play an important role in pollination.
Is it hard to raise butterflies?
Not at all. With the right plants and a safe habitat, anyone can do it.
