Butterflies and Moths: Part 1

It's the time of year again when our local butterfly exhibit opens up! We always enjoy going to see all of the exotic species of lepidopterans. Before we go, we are going to start learning a bit about the creatures we are going to see. We've done many projects around this subject before, so it will be fun to look back on those pictures. It's obviously too cold to be raising caterpillars on our own. Normally, I would save a topic like this for summer, to have more hands-on activities. However, going to see the butterfly exhibit makes it possible do in March, even if there is a foot of snow on the ground. We even have the brochure from last year's exhibit, so we can take a look at some of the species that we might see again this year and maybe be able to identify them tomorrow. 

When I'm going to spend a week or so on one topic (as we will be doing with lepidopterans), I like to make a little display on top of Evie's dresser. I set up books, toys, and crafts that have to do with what we are studying. 

Here are the activities and crafts we will be doing today, as well as the books we shall read. There will be more of each category to come throughout the week.

Activities

• Put some fruit juice in a cup (preferably red or orange, since those colors are especially attractive to butterflies). Do the same with two more cups. Give toddler a straw. Have toddler "flutter" from cup to cup while keeping a straw in their mouth. The straw is their proboscis. The fruit juice is nectar. Explain how they are pollinating the "flowers." Describe how butterflies taste with their feet and smell with their antennae.  Ask them what flavor of shoes they would wear if they could taste with their feet!
• More pretend play: have toddler curl up in a little ball and throw a blanket over them. They then "hatch" from their egg. Then put a jacket or extra shirt on the little caterpillar before they crawl to the table to have lunch. Have them eat, and then take off the extra layer of clothing to "molt" before going to lay down for a nap. When they are in bed, tuck the covers around them very tightly, pushing them underneath the toddler on all sides, from neck down to feet. They are now in their chrysalis or cocoon (depending on whether they want to be a moth or butterfly). Tell them that it's time to sleep, and that when they wake up, they will be a beautiful butterfly (or moth). 

Books

• La Oruga Muy Hambrienta/The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Know-it-Alls: Butterflies!!! by Darlene Freeman
• Eyewitness Explorers: Butterflies and Moths by John Feltwell
• TIME for Kids: Buutterflies! by editors of TIME
• The Magic School Bus: Butterfly and the Bog Beast by Joanna Cole

Craft

• Cut out butterfly shapes and glue to paper. Glue popsicle stick for body. Decorate with glitter glue and buttons. Can also add other stages of life cycle. 

Bonus: Past projects

We've raised several species before, including Eastern Black Swallowtails, Polyphemus moths, Monarchs, Painted Ladies, and Luna Moths. Here's a few pictures of our past houseguests: 

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