Raising Butterflies: How to Get Started Today

Raising butterflies from the larval stage to the adult stage can be a satisfying and educational hobby. It allows you to observe the amazing transformational metamorphosis at home within the safety of a simple habitat. Butterflies are among the easiest insects to raise and care for. However, they are meant to be observed and admired, not interacted with like pets.

The process of raising butterflies can begin from the moment the caterpillars first emerge from their eggs in the spring or early summer. When they reach adulthood, the butterfly will need to be released from its habitat, unless you have a separate enclosure designed for adults. This article will cover some useful tips for raising butterflies, including which species to choose and what supplies to buy.

What Butterfly Species Should You Choose?

The first step is to pick the species of butterfly you want to raise. There are around 20,000 butterfly species around the world, with about 750 in the United States alone. This is, to say the least, a lot to choose from. Monarch, painted lady, red admiral, and swallowtail butterflies are the most popular and also happen to be some of the easiest to raise. However, there is one factor you will want to consider above all: location. It’s important to choose a species that already lives in your area. This will ensure that the butterfly can thrive and reproduce once it’s released into the wild. The National Wildlife Federation has a tool you can use to look up butterflies and moths in your area.

There are generally two ways to obtain a butterfly. The first method is to capture one from the wild (either the egg or the larva is fine). You can even create your own garden at home and cultivate both suitable host plants and flowers for local butterflies to gather around. The other method is to purchase a butterfly or a dedicated kit from a store. If you pursue this route, then you should make absolutely certain it’s a local species. Otherwise, it could struggle to survive in the wild.

Another important factor to consider when selecting a species is that some butterflies “overwinter,” which means they spend most of the winter in deep sleep. These species include the brushfoot, copper, cloudless sulfur, and pine white butterflies. They are not exactly the easiest to raise because they require more time and effort. If you are unable to devote the extra time, then make sure you do not select an overwintering species.

Supplies You Will Need

The first and most important supply you will need is a suitable host plant for the larva to feed on. Each species has a different host plant preference. For example, the monarch requires milkweed, the painted lady butterfly requires thistle, and the giant swallowtail requires rue. Always do your research first to make sure you’re pairing the butterfly with the right host plant. This could mean the difference between life and death.

The second thing you will need is some kind of habitat. Some people prefer a simple tank of at least 10 gallons with a screened terrarium cover. Others prefer to use a mesh pop-up habitat or another butterfly-specific container. Ensure you have the right size container for the number of butterflies you plan to raise. Experts recommend a mesh pop-up cage of at least 15 x 15 x 15 for up to 10 butterflies and 24 x 24 x 24 for up to 20 butterflies. Never keep butterflies in the same habitat as feeding caterpillars due to the potential to spread disease. A backup habitat may come in handy if it fits within your budget.

For serious butterfly enthusiasts, a glass-enclosed greenhouse or a big wooden butterfly house outdoors is an alternative option. This will allow you to raise multiple adult butterflies with plenty of space, food, and water for each one. The setup can range from a simple box to an elaborate greenhouse structure. It all depends on how much time, effort, and money you want to spend.

If you’re just starting out as a butterfly hobbyist and still don’t know what to do, then you can always purchase a simple butterfly starter kit. These kits include nearly all the supplies you need to get started, such as the habitat, host plant, water, and sometimes even the caterpillar itself. The butterfly starter kit will also come with instructions for what you should do to care for your butterfly.

How to Set Up Your Habitat

Once you’ve chosen a suitable habitat, fill the bottom of the container with either soil or soft felt and then add a few sticks. Also, make sure the host plant is firmly secured in a pot or water-filled jar with an appropriate lid. Place the host plant into the habitat first and give it some time to thrive before adding the butterfly. In the early larval phase, the caterpillar will spend all of its time attached to the host plant. If it falls off, then you should make sure it can crawl back up on a stick or the wall. In the chrysalis phase, the butterfly will form a cocoon on the wall, the screen, or the stick.

Outdoor habitats provide more natural sunlight. However, this also means your butterflies will be exposed to potential predators. Inclement weather may also be a concern for outdoor habitats. Indoor habitats provide more protection and also give you a much better view of the butterfly. Of course, larger habitats like a greenhouse or butterfly box are better suited outside your home, but your butterflies will be safer inside these types of structures.

How Long Does the Butterfly Life Cycle Last?

In general, you can expect it to take anywhere between a few weeks and a few months for the butterfly to transform into an adult. Some hobbyists like to start out with the eggs so they can observe the entire life cycle of the butterfly. The eggs usually take one to two weeks to hatch. However, the larval butterfly, also known as a caterpillar, is often the longest stage in its life cycle. This stage can last anywhere between a few days and a few months, depending on the species. During this time, it undergoes several “instar” stages in which it sheds its exoskeleton and grows progressively larger.

Once the larva is finished growing, it will enter the pupa stage. During this stage, the butterfly forms a chrysalis, which is a hard outer shell. Inside this protective shell, the caterpillar transforms into an adult butterfly. The chrysalis phase usually lasts around 10 to 14 days, but this varies by species. Most species complete the entire transformation into adults by summer or early autumn, but as mentioned previously, some species overwinter.

When the adult butterfly first emerges from its chrysalis, its wings will be damp and ineffective. You should allow for at least a few hours before setting the butterfly free. If necessary, you can provide the butterfly with a little bit of nectar or sugar water before release. This doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end of your butterfly adventures, however. If you want adult butterflies to remain near your home, consider planting flowers in your garden that will attract them.