Instead of ordering butterfly eggs this year, we decided to just hunt for caterpillars and raise them from caterpillars. Next year we will order the eggs again. Abigail and Sam have found one caterpillar so far and we aren't sure what kind this one is, so after a lot of researching in books and online we've given up trying to find out, and hope to find out if and when it turns into a butterfly or moth!!!
We found this GREAT website though:
insects.about.com/od/keepingliveinsects/ss/rearingcats_2.htm
which includes information on how to look after a caterpillar if you aren't sure what kind it is!!! they have named this one 'Bendy' and he is living in a huge old pickle jar. We have several books on butterflies, bugs, caterpillars etc etc - as well as some story books about them, so we've been enjoying those too - as well as some activity sheets and things that we found online, so Bendy has turned into an all-round project for us!
We'll take more pictures if he survives long term and grows and develops! He's been surviving for about 4 days now so all is good :) PHEW!!!!
