Caterpillars / Butterflies

[Maza]

My butterfly house has arrived, very excited! How long will it take for the caterpillars to arrive once I have ordered them? Has everyone had 100% success rates in getting them to the butterfly stage? x

[lizduncan72]

My butterfly house has arrived, very excited! How long will it take for the caterpillars to arrive once I have ordered them? Has everyone had 100% success rates in getting them to the butterfly stage? x

Ours only took a few days to arrive last year they all grew into butterflies but one drowned in the bowl of water the flowers were in!! Hopefully it wasn't the thought of being around me and the mindees for a few days that caused it to commit suicide lol this year I'm a bit concerned about one of our caterpillars as he doesn't seem to be moving much, he's growing ok but not moving so hopefully he's just a bit lazy!!

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They're a bit bigger than this now

[line6]

Ours came today I've grown a few batches over the last few years with my own children. Not too sure my mindees (3 and 4) we're too impressed today but Hopi they'll get more interested as they grow. Personally I love them!

[line6]

We had only 1 in about 4 batches that didn't form properly as a butterfly - one wing was deformed so he didn't fly All the others grew successfully

[HTSMumma]

Just put some fruit and sugar water into my habitat tonight. Three butterflies have hatched today and I have two to go. They were chrysalises for AGES this time. I don't remember them taking this long last time.
Fascinating to watch!

[natlou82]

Can't wait to get mine :-D

[Daisy1956]

My butterfly house arrived Friday ordered caterpillars which should arrive next Friday. LOs are so excited, me too. Thanks for mentoon of cats mine are old but may still need to watch them.

[line6]

Ours are cocoons now. Seemed to grow and cocoon really quickly compared to previous years but I think we're later this year so maybe that's why. Now waiting to see how long they will take to hatch.

[littlemiss60561]

Insect Lore Giant Live Butterfly Hatching Garden Pavilion Life Cycle Habitat Kit
FOR AGES 4YRS+ | 45CM HABITAT | GROWS 10 BUTTERFLIES
We got this one as it was a bargain price including the life cycle of butterfly kit. The smaller (5) one is 12.99 . Both need extra p and p for caterpillars via a voucher so order kit now as have to wait again for the caterpillars. We released one today and it was amazing!

[line6]

Ours came from Insect Lore. We have had the smaller kit for a few years and buy caterpillars most years.

[line6]

Two hatched butterflies today . Sadly one didn't make it out of his cocoon as there was too much of the fluff stuff around it and it died before it made it out. The other 2 are still cocoons. The children have enjoyed watching them and picking flowers for them today.

[Maza]

TrudiR, shame one didn't make it. How long were they cocoons for?

[line6]

Not long. Just over a week. All 4 hatched now

[lizduncan72]

We released our butterflies today

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[Maza]

My DD is so attached and devoted to the caterpillars that I think she will find it very hard when we have to release them. Has anyone else experienced this?x

[line6]

How old is she? My eldest dd is 9 and we have been doing this for a few years. She was sad to let them go the first year (prob about 4 or 5) but we explained they needed to fly free to enjoy their lives and she watched them go and then looked for 'her' butterflies for a good few weeks.

[Maza]

She's 5. She knew from the start that they wouldn't be here forever but I still think she will find it hard - she's so desperate for a pet! She has named them all and is convinced that each one has a different personality. I can imagine her also going out to look to see if the butterflies have come to visit her!

[line6]

She's 5. She knew from the start that they wouldn't be here forever but I still think she will find it hard - she's so desperate for a pet! She has named them all and is convinced that each one has a different personality. I can imagine her also going out to look to see if the butterflies have come to visit her!

Ahh bless her.

[angeldelight]

Anyone who knows me knows I would run a mile ha

My grandson did some of these and loved it ...he kept them indoors

It's a great activity and I would love to do it I'm so scared I can't see it happening

Angel xx