WELCOME
TO
BUTTERFLY HABITAT & LIFE CYCLE
EDITED BY
Glen F. Graves
ILLUSTRATED BY
Adele Bentsen
Penny Murphree
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Sandra Farris
County Extension Agent
Family & Consumer Service
AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
The Leadership Center
in Cooperation with
Texas Cooperative Extension
The Texas A&M University System
Harris County Master Gardner’s Association
Houston Area Outreach Coalition
May, 2002
BUTTERFLY HABITAT & LIFE CYCLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Teacher Resources/Supplementary Materials
Handout: “Butterfly Habitat & Life Cycle”
Helpful Hints
Sample Letter to Parents
Material List
Pre-Test
Introductory Activity
Lesson 1
CREATING A BUTTERFLY GARDEN HABITAT
Planning to Garden & Habitat, Planning to Plant, Starting Seeds,
Planting a Garden, Nectar Plants for Butterflies, and Food Plants for
Caterpillars
Lesson 2
BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE
Life Cycle, Making Life Cycle Picture Card, Book, & Wheel
Lesson 3
THE EGG
Where to locate them; identify the butterfly by its egg
Lesson 4
THE CATERPILLAR OR LARVA
Parts of a caterpillar, installs, building a cage to protect from predators
Lesson 5
THE CHRYSALIS OR PUPA
Where butterflies come from, identify the butterfly by its pupa
Lesson 6
THE BUTTERFLY OR ADULT
Butterfly rearing and observing techniques, catching butterflies and
releasing them
Vocabulary
Resources
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Table of Contents
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
BUTTERFLY HABITAT & LIFE CYCLE
THE LIFE CYCLE AND HABITAT OF BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies have many enemies. Birds, spiders, and insects eat them. But the greatest
damage comes from humans. In the United States and Canada, butterflies face direct habitat
destruction caused by humans. New roads, housing developments, and agricultural expansion
all transform a natural landscape in ways that make it impossible for butterflies to live there.
The more concrete we lay, the fewer butterflies we will see. The more wildflowers we replace
with non-native plants, the fewer caterpillars we will find. The more insecticide we spray, the
fewer flying insects will fill the sky. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 butterflies never reach
adulthood. If the eggs aren’t mashed or the caterpillars eaten, the adults will probably die of
thirst or drown in pesticide somewhere along the way. “Progress” is inevitable, of course. Man
is a significant animal on our planet, but man’s actions are causing our fellow inhabitants to
suffer and in many cases parish, often to the point of extinction. We have the technology on
our side. We are winning the battle to expand our living areas at the expense of theirs. That is
why butterflies desperately need our help. They need us to use our technology to help them
maintain their livelihood.
The place to start helping is in your own backyards. There needs to be the kind of
gardens to attract butterflies from the woodland into the suburban/urban setting. If every
school had a butterfly garden planted, eventually there would be more butterflies for everyone
to enjoy. It would give butterflies a reason to venture into the city or town. They need color
and fragrance flowers, ponds, trees, even mud, not the cold expanse of glass and concrete, the
offensive odor of pollutants, or the threat of death on the windshields and grilles of speeding
vehicles.
Butterflies need healthy surroundings in order to survive. By supplying their needs, you
can help them beat the odds against an early death and this curriculum will help you
accomplish the goal. This curriculum will give you information on gardening and habitat
construction that will allow butterflies to flourish. It will give you an understanding of the
life cycle and will help you nurture them into becoming lively, healthy adults. It will even make
you a better student by assisting you in becoming butterfly friendly.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Supplementary Materials
HELPFUL HINTS
Notification of Parents
Send a letter explaining the activity asking parents to notify you if they feel their child should
not take part. Possibly having the parent sign the notification and returning it with the
student would be a good idea. A sample letter is attached.
Recruit Volunteers
Asking a couple of parents to help will make the construction of the butterfly cages, boxes,
wood stack, watering dish, nets, and rearing containers, go much quicker (and it will be easier
on you). Ask the parent volunteer(s) to help you gather the material for the containers.
Cleaning Up
Make sure that students wash with soap after contact with soil, butterflies or caterpillars.
Also, if there are any scratches or cuts, clean them out with peroxide or send them to the school
nurse. Butterfly culture is a safe activity, but childhood scrapes can be a problem if not cleaned
and treated immediately.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Supplementary Materials
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Parents,
Your child is about to embark on a new adventure, one that he or she will
likely wish to share with you. Our class is taking part in the "Butterfly Habitat &
Life Cycle" activity series. This program will introduce students to the life cycle of
the butterfly and the plants to attract butterflies in a habitat.
We will be working with soil, soaps, sugar water, and cages both indoors
and outdoors. If you feel your child should not participate in the hands on activities
because of allergies or respiratory problems, please notify me. We anticipate a
safe, fun learning experience and welcome your participation.
Sincerely,
BUTTERFLY HABITAT & LIFE CYCLE
MATERIAL LIST
Lesson 1
Drawing Paper, Graph Paper
Crayons or colored pencils
Seeds or seedlings
Gardening supplies
(garden mix and potting soil, organic fertilizer, shovel, rake, hoe)
Containers to start seed
Containers of plants to be placed in the garden
Student Handouts:
"A Plant in a Butterfly Habitat"
"Procedure for Planning a School Butterfly Garden"
"Nectar Plants for Butterflies"
"Food (Host) Plants for Caterpillars"
"Herbs for Butterflies"
Lesson 2
Life cycle line drawings for wheel book
Copes of the wheel book pattern on card stock
Life cycle line drawings for picture book
Card stock Paper (4"X 6" for cards) for picture book
Brads
Glue
Scissors
Crayons, markers
Student Handouts:
“Are you Like a Butterfly?”
“Butterflies Are Insects”
“Name the Stages of a Butterfly”
“The Butterfly's Life Cycle”
“Making Life Cycle Picture Cards, Book & Wheel”
Lesson 3
Molding clay
Oil Paints
Brushes
Student Handouts:
Drawings of 8 butterfly eggs
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Supplementary Materials
Lesson 4
Clear 2-liter plastic soft drink bottle
Scissors
Small plastic tub, like a margarine container
Nail or pencil
Tape
Scrap of netting or old panty hose
Strong rubber band
Student Handouts:
5 Pictures of caterpillars
“Find the Parts of a caterpillar”
Making a caterpillar growing container, page 48-51 in “The Family Butterfly Book”
(see resources)
Lesson 5
Toilet-paper tube
Tongue depressor or ice cream pop stick
Heavy paper with two butterflies drawn on it
6” piece of pipe cleaner, folded in half
Markers or crayons
Scissors and glue
Student Handouts:
Drawings of Chrysalis
“Butterfly Emerging from a Chrysalis”
Lesson 6
Student Handouts:
Drawings of a butterfly
“Butterfly Anatomy and Life Cycle”
“Making a Butterfly Net”
1 piece of nylon netting or organdy, 2 feet by 3 feet
1 coat hanger
1 broomstick or-” /4 inch dowel, 4 feet long
“Building a Butterfly Cage to Hang”
Hanger or large embroidery hoop
Cardboard round (e.g., from pizza) for base of cage
String or rope. Toothpicks, Paper clips, Bridal veil netting
When Releasing a Butterfly from page 85 of “The Family Butterfly Book” (see
resources)
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Supplementary Materials
BUTTERFLY HABITAT & LIFE CYCLE
PRE-TEST
This test is not for a grade. Answer as best you can.
1. Butterflies and moths have:
a. 6 wings
c. 2 wings
b. 4 wings
d. no wings
2. The job of the caterpillar's mouth is to:
a. eat food and spin silk
c. look for food and things
b. keep birds from eating it
d. move the insect
3. A butterfly needs wings in order to:
a. keep warm
c. taste food
b. get away from enemies
d. spin silk
4. What does a caterpillar change into?
a. egg
c. grasshopper
b. larva or chrysalis
d. butterfly
5. Butterflies are most attracted to the color(s):
a. red
c. blue
b. purple and yellow
d. black and white
True or False
_____ 1. Host plants provide food for butterflies.
_____ 2. A butterfly is not an insect.
_____ 3. Nectar plants provide life-sustaining food for butterflies
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Supplementary Materials
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Introductory Activity
WHY STUDY THE BUTTERFLY
DO
Show a collection of pictures of butterflies
from The Family Butterfly Book (see
resources)
Show picture and handout, “Vanessa, the
Painted Lady”
Show pictures of the four stages of butterfly
life.
SAY
The first reason for studying butterflies is they
are beautiful. A cool name to call a butterfly
is “leps”. It is short for a Greek word
Lepidoptera; meaning scales (Lepidos) and
wings (ptera).
The second reason for studying “leps” is they
are small, abundant and suitable for studies.
The most accepted theory of how butterflies
received their name goes back to the British
Isles. One of the most common species there
was the Yellow Brimstone. Apparently, people
first referred to it as a “butter-colored fly.” It
wasn't long before the word was shortened to
“butterfly”.
Distribute student handout: “Butterfly Life
Cycle”
A lep goes through four stages of
development, as shown by the handout. It is
called a complete metamorphosis (Greek for
transformation); egg, caterpillar or larva,
chrysalis or pupa, and adult or butterfly.
Show pictures on page 10 and 39 of The
Family Butterfly Book (see resources).
The third reason, they breed rather quickly,
suitable for studies on their biology. They have
a short life cycle, about 60 to 90 days.
Show picture on page 18 of The Family
Butterfly Book showing butterflies obtaining
nectar from a plant.
The fourth reason, they have a relationship
with plants and other animals. The eggs are
placed on a host plant by the lep. The
caterpillar eats from the host plant and the
lep; in contrast, drinks only fluids with its
straw like proboscis from certain nectar
plants.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
Finally, they react to changes in
environmental conditions. They move from
areas that do not have the right plants and
migrate to areas with plenty of their favorite
plants.
Other Discussion:
In January 2002 thousands of butterflies
Many people believe that butterflies are such
died in a winter storm in Mexico. Many
delicate creatures that they would die in the
scientist in the butterfly community
simplest breeze or anything less than perfect
wondered if the two largest monarch colonies conditions. The truth is, butterflies have
would recover from this disaster. However, in evolved to survive and thrive in extreme
February 2003 the butterflies were reportedly conditions. Talk about the Monarch butterfly
making a comeback.
die-off in the mountains of Mexico. Do you
think they will come back? They exist
Read more:
everywhere in the world except for
http://forests.org/articles/reader.asp?
Antarctica. They are more in danger from
linkid=8437
environmental threats caused by humans
http://www.startribune.com/stories/
than from natural weather conditions. They
1551/3652774.html
are hardier than we give them credit for, and
if links are broken see reporter
they survive despite human intervention.
Carol Kaesuk Yoon
What are some positive actions that your
students can take to help provide butterflies
and other insects with resources that they
will need to survive?
View KLRU Backyard Butterflies. Discuss
the contents of the program and have the
students make a list of suggestions for
creating a school butterfly garden.
Create your first butterfly. Give out Student
handout: “Balancing Butterfly”
Follow the directions.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
VANESSA, The Painted Lady
To help relay the information about butterfly habitat and life cycle, you'll meet VANESSA, a
special mascot, who serves as a fun-loving guide for the students as they study their lessons.
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) may be the most widespread butterfly in the world. It also
is known as the thistle butterfly and the cosmopolitan (because it is so widespread, occurring in
North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa). This flying insect lives in temperate and
some topical areas.
The adult Painted Lady is mostly black brown and orange with some white spots; the
underside is gray with white and red markings. The adult has a 2 - 3 inch wingspan. Adults sip
sweet thistle and clover nectar. The caterpillar usually feeds on thistle, mallow, malva,
hollyhock and sunflower.
There goes miss Vanessa,
“The Painted Lady”
Watch her flutter by.
What a busy life she has
As a butterfly
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE
Butterflies go through four stages of life, but they only look like butterflies in the final stage.
• An adult butterfly lays an EGG.
• The egg hatches into a CATERPILLAR or LARVA.
• The caterpillar forms the CHRYSALIS or PUPA.
• The chrysalis matures into a BUTTERFLY.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
BALANCING BUTTERFLY
Supplies:
Heavy card stock or watercolor paper
Watercolors/paint brushes
(2) pennies
Scotch tape
Playdough
Pencil
Object: To create a balancing butterfly that looks like it is flying.
Instructions:
(1) Draw and paint a butterfly on the card stock or watercolor paper
attached. Cut out the butterfly, either the one you drew or the one
printed.
(2) On the underside of the butterfly (the side you did not paint) scotch
tape a penny on each side.
(3) Fold on the dotted line.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
(4) Roll a 1 1/2 inch round ball of playdough and stick a unsharpened
pencil in the playdough, eraser side up.
(5) Balance the butterfly on the top of the eraser.
(6) Watch the butterfly flutter.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Introductory Activity
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Lesson 1
CREATING A BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND HABITAT
Objectives:
1. Plan a butterfly garden to help provide leps and other insects with resources that they need
to survive.
2. Plant seeds, seedlings, and potted plants.
3. Learn what plants attract butterflies.
Material Needed:
Drawing paper, crayons or colored pencils
Graph paper for planning garden layout
Seeds or seedlings
Gardening supplies
(garden mix and potting soil, organic fertilizer, shovel, rake, hoe)
Containers in which to start seeds
Containers of plants to be placed in the garden
Student Handouts:
“A Plant in a Butterfly Habitat”
“Procedure for Planning A School Butterfly Garden”
“Nectar Plants for Butterflies”
“Food (Host) Plants for Caterpillars”
“Herbs for Butterflies”
Evaluation:
Students will complete a drawing of the proposed garden. The teacher will review and discuss
the ideas accumulated.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
Lesson 1
CREATING A BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND HABITAT
DO
SAY
Distribute: Drawing paper, crayons, or
A habitat is a place in which individuals of
colored pencils, book, pictures and drawings a particular species can usually be found. A
or butterflies. Have each student research
habitat contains the things that are needed
and draw a picture 8” X 10” of a host and
to survive. From the material on plants,
nectar plant.
decide on one that is from the “nectar” group
and one from the “host” group, then draw a
Handout “A Plant in a Butterfly Habitat”
picture of each. Put the pictures together as
a wall mural to represent a garden that will
By discussing butterflies, students will
attract butterflies. Butterflies need certain
develop an understanding of the concept of
plants. The caterpillar needs a host or larva
habitats. They will then create drawings of plant to eat the leaves. The lep needs a plant
plants in a butterfly habitat. Have them
that contains a lot of nectar. It contains a
look at pictures and books that show
high percent of sugar.
habitats.
Distribute:
Graph paper
“Procedure for School Butterfly Garden”
“Nectar Plants for Butterflies”
“Food (Host) Plants for Caterpillars” “Herbs
for Butterflies”
Construct a Garden. It can be as small as a
group of potted plants or as large as a
meadow. Lie out area and scrape off the
grass. Put down 4 or 5 layers of newspaper.
Have garden soil mix placed on top. It is
suggested that timbers or stones be placed
around the garden to hold the soil.
Have students sow seeds directly into the
ground or plant them in containers to be
planted in the ground later when they are
larger. Have students plant the larger
container plants.
Before we begin the construction of the
garden we need to make a plan. Discuss each
handout with the students. Have the
students take dimensions of the area to be in
the garden. Have students follow the
procedure.
To attract butterflies, provide for their four
basic needs: shelter, water, and a place to lay
eggs and food for both the caterpillar and
the adult.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
PROCEDURE FOR SCHOOL BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Step 1:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Step 2:
A.
Planning to Garden
Get permission from school administration and maintenance personnel. It is
especially important to gain the support of the people who mow the grounds.
Discuss how butterflies and other insects use plants, and how they need special
plants at different times in their life cycle.
Discuss the work involved in a garden, including maintaining the garden during
the summer and raising money for seeds and other materials. Also brainstorm
benefit of garden (such as decreased noise and air pollution from reduced
mowing, reduced soil erosion, a beautiful garden, food and shelter for many
organisms).
Develop a time line for the garden. If you start from seed, you will need at least
three months. A good timeline is:
First month: get administrative support, choose a site, hold fund-raisers, if
necessary, order seeds, germinate seeds.
Second month: monitor seedling growth, design the garden.
Third month: prepare garden site, transplant seedlings.
Decide on the criteria you will use to judge a site. Important considerations
include available sunlight (4 to 6 hours), level of foot traffic, visibility to school
and community, and vulnerability to vandalism. A butterfly will roost in a
different place each night; in hot weather near or under outer branches of trees
and n cooler weather under large branches near the ground. Plant the majority of
the garden in sunny, protected area. Leps are cold blooded; most need sun to
warm their body temperature and to find directions. Water sources are
important, particularly in hot weather. Provide wet areas or shallow puddles.
Leps like mud-edged ponds but will use a bird bath with rough edges. Flat
stones in a dish of damp sand at various sunny locations will allow leps to
drink, bask and warm themselves. Flowers with petals that form a platform on
which they can perch are best, like zinnia. Leps have to land to eat. Butterfly
gardening has the same rules of good soil, adequate water, fertilizer as any other
gardening. Watering should never be done with a sprinkler, use a soaker hose or
some method of watering the plants below their flowers.
Planning the Plant
Choose the plants that you will use. Sources of information include seed
catalogs, gardening magazines, books about butterflies and butterfly gardening
and other resources.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
B.
C.
D.
Step 3:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Step 4:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Encourage students to choose plants that bloom at different times. Blend nectar
and host plants. Check out all the colors. Purple and yellow are the preferred
flower color, followed by white and blue, then red. Perennials are good, since
they only have to be planted once, but including an area for annuals will allow
future classes to participate in planting each year. Also consider plant height,
color, and length of blooming time.
Make suggestions as to the garden design, such as choosing colors that blend and
making sure all plants are visible (i.e., tall in back, short in front).
Plan the garden together, using graph paper to draw a plan of what you will
plant where.
Starting Seedlings
Buy seeds (or plan where you will buy potted plants). Sources include gardening
catalogs, hardware store, and nurseries. You may want to plan to use a
combination of seeds and purchased plants. Plants should not be purchased until
it is time to plant the garden.
Have students bring in yogurt containers, foam egg cartons, and other
containers in which to start seeds. You can buy, borrow, or ask for donations of
potting soil, organic and fish emulsion fertilizer, straw, shovels, a rake, and a
hoe.
Planting seedlings: Punch a small hole in the bottom of containers, fill with a
potting soil, bury seeds according to instructions, and place containers on trays
to catch extra water. Students should be responsible for caring for their plants.
They can also measure plant growth, germination time, other variables, and keep
track of their progress in a science journal or lab notebook.
Keep seedlings in a sunny window or outside in sunlight.
After 4 to 6 weeks, seedlings will be ready to transplant.
Planting the Garden
Prepare the soil. Turn it over and add some organic fertilizer.
Plant seedlings. Make sure danger of frost is past.
Apply mulch to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil moisture and slow weed
growth.
Set up a schedule for garden maintenance as a class. Tasks may include
watering, weeding and replacing plants.
Set up a time to observe the garden once a week. Keep track of what plants are
present, which are blooming, and what insects are seen in the garden.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
F.
G.
Use no pesticides or insecticides. Leps are very sensitive to any kind of pollution
or pesticide. The fastest way to wipe them out is to spray insecticides near your
garden, according to Pat Compton, Harris County Master Gardener, in her
publication, "Butterfly Gardening in the Gulf Coast. Caterpillars frequently
have to travel some distance before finding a safe place to pupate. Remember
that those caterpillars you see crawling on your plants may become the leps you
are trying to attract. If treating pest problems manually or organically isn't
enough, be sure to use products proven safe for butterflies. Sometimes a gentle
spraying with water will remove pests. Treat fire ants with boiling water,
diatomaceous earth or a product such as Logic. A non-toxic spray can be made
by mixing soapy water with garlic or pepper sauce.
Make a plan for caring for the garden over the summer. The more people
involved, the less likely your garden will become a burden for a small number of
people.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
FOOD (HOST) PLANTS FOR CATERPILLARS (LARVA)
BUTTERFLY SPECIES
FOOD PLANT FOR ITS CATERPILLAR
Black Swallowtail
Buckeye
Cabbage butterfly
(some consider it a pest)
Fritillaries (Gulf and Variegated)
Giant Swallowtail
Giant purple hairstreak
Gray hairstreak
Julias
Monarchs & Queens
Mourning Cloak
Painted Lady
Pearl crescent
Pipevine Swallowtail
Red-spotted purple
Red Admiral
Question mark
Skippers
Snouts
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spring Azure
Sulphurs
Tawny emperor
Texas crescent
Viceroys
Whites
Zebra Longwings
Dill, parsley, fennel, carrots
Plantain, snapdragon, verbena
Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, brussel
sprouts, nasturtium
Passionflower, violets, pansies
Rue, citrus trees
Mistletoe, cottonwood, elm, oak, willow
Legumes, alfalfa, strawberry, nettles, beets,
thistles
Passionflowers
Milkweeds
Elm, poplar, willow
Hollyhock, thistles, mallow
Asters
Dutchman's pipevine,
Willow, cottonwood, black cherry, poplar
Nettles, false nettle
Hackberry, elm, nettle
Mallows, beans, locusts, wisteria, hibiscus,
legumes, canna lilies
Hackberry
Camphor tree, spicebush, sweet bay, red bay,
sassafras, tulip tree
Blueberry, dogwood, viburnums
Cassias, senna, partridge pea, clover, lupine, vetch
Hackberry
Shrimp plant, dicliptera, ruellia
Cottonwood, pear, plum, poplar, willow
Mustards, pepper-grass
Passionflowers
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
HERBS FOR BUTTERFLIES*
Larval (caterpillar) Food
HERB
BOTANICAL NAME
BUTTEFLIES
Anise
Asters
Bay Laurel
Bluebonnet
Borge
Butterfly Weed
California Bay
Camphor tree
Chamomile
Citrus
Clover, Red
Dill
Fennel
Grasses
Hops
Mallows
Mugwort
Nasturtium
Nettles, Stinging
Parsley, curled
Passionflower Vine
Pimpinella aniscum
Asteracea spp.
Laurus nobilis
Lupinus spp.
Borago officinalis
Asclepias spp.
Umbellularia californica
Cinnamonum cammphora
Matricaria recutita
Citrus spp.
Trifolium pratense
Anethum graveolens
Foeniculum vulgare
Plantain
Pot Marigold
Purslane
Rue
Sassafras
Senna
Shrimp Plant
Snapdragon
Thistles
Violet
Wormwood
Yarrow
Plantago spp.
Calendula off.
Portulaca grandiflora
Ruta graveolens
Sassafras albidum
Cassia occidentalis
Justicia brandegeana
Antirrhinum
Cirsium spp.
Viola spp.
Artemisia absinthium
Achillea millefolium
Black Swallowtail
Am Painted Lady, Many Others
Spicebush Swallowtail
Hairstreaks
TX Crescentspot, Painted Lady
Monarch, Queen
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Dainty Sulphur, Pearl Crescent
Giant Swallowtail
Dog Face Sulphur
Black Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Skippers
Question Mark
Painted Lady, Skippers
Painted Lady, Am Painted Lady
Cabbage White
Red Admiral, Question Mark
Black Swallowtail
Gulf & Variegated Fritillary, Zebra
Longwing
Buckeye
Painted Lady
Variegated Fritillary
Giant Swallowtail
Spicebush & Palamedes Swallowtails
Cloudless Sulphur, Little Yellow
TX Crescentspot
Buckeye
Painted Lady & Others
Varigated Fritillary
Am Painted Lady
Painted Lady
Humulus lupulus
Malva sylvestris & others
Artemisia vulgare
Tiopaeolum majus
Urtica spp.
Petroselinum crispum
Passiflora spp.
Spp. species
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
HERBS FOR BUTTERFLIES*
Nectar (Butterfly) Food
HERB
BOTANICAL NAME
BUTTEFLIES
Anise Hyssop
Basils
Bee Balm
Boneset
Butterfly Bush
Agastache foeniculum
Ocimum basilicum
Monarda didyma
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Buddleia davidii
Catmint
Chaste Tree
Chicory
Chives
Coneflower, Purple
Nepeta mussinii
Vitex agnus-castus
Cichorium intybus
Allium schoenoprasum
Echinacea purpurea
Globe Amaranth
Honeysuckle
Horehound
Joe Pye Weed
Gomphrena globosa
Lonicera japonica
Marrubium vul.
Eupatorium purpureum
Lantana
Lavender
Marjoram
Mexican Mint Marigold
Mints
Ocotillo
Pentas
Lantana camara & others
Lavandula latifolia
Origanum vulgare
Tagetes lucida
Mentha spp.
Fouquiria splendens
Penta lanceolata
Pineapple Sage
Salvia elegans
Rosemary
Sage, Tropical
Salvias
Self-heal
Vervain
Zinnias (single flowered)
Rosmarinus off.
Salvia coccinea
S. gregii, S. coccinea
Prunella vul.
Verbena officinalis
Zinnia, spp.
Sulphurs, Red Admiral, Painted Lady
Many
Painted Lady
Viceroy, Gulf fritillary, Monarch
Cloudless Giant Sulphurs, Fritillaries,
Swallowtails
Many
Blue, Hairstreaks, many others
Many
Many
Viceroy, Am Painted Lady,
Hairstreaks
Swallowtails, Little Yellow
Giant Swallowtails
Many
Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Monarch,
Buckeye
Julia, Sulphurs, & Many others
Many
Many
Many
Many
Many
Sulphurs, Swallowtails, Monarch,
Zebra Longwing
Spicebush Swallowtail, Cloudless
Giant Sulphur
Gulf Fritillary
Cloudless Giant Sulphur, others
Queen, Monarch, others
Skippers, Sulphurs, others
Zebra Longwing, others
Gulf Fritillary, Painted Lady,
Sulphurs, others
Spp. species
*Courtesy of Lana Sims, HERBS & SUCH, 702 Llano, Pasadena, TX 77504 713.943.2937
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
NECTAR PLANTS FOR BUTTERFLIES
Plant
Color
Height Bloom Period
Annuals, Biennials, Perennials
Allium, Chives (Liliaceae) P
Alyssum, Sweet (Lobularia) A
Amaranth, Globe. A (Gomphrena glebosa)
Aster (Compositae) P
Bergamot, Showy. P (Monarda didyma)
Black-eyed Susan. A (Rudbeckia hirta)
Blazing star (Liatris soucata) P
Blanketflower (Gaillardia) P
Borage (officinalis)P
Boneset, P (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Butterfly weed, P (Asclepias tuberosa)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia) P
Catmint (Nepeta) P
Chicory, P (Cichorium intybus)
Cigar (Cuphea micropetala) P
Clover, White P (Trifolium repens)
Coneflower, Purple P (Echinacea purpurea)
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) A
Cosmo (bipinnatus) A
Daisy. Yellow Shrub P (Euryops pectinatus)
Daylily (Hemerocallis) P
Garlic Society' P (Tulbaghia violacea)
Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) P
Geranium, P (Pelargonium)
Goldenrod (Solidago) P
Hollyhock, Single (Althea) A
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) P
Hyssop' Anise A (Agastache foeniculum)
Impatiens, A (Impatiens balsamina)
Joe-Pye weed, P (Eupatorium fistulosum)
Lemon-mint A (Monarda citriodora)
Lobella, Blue P (Lobelia siphilitica)
Marigold, Single (Tagetes) A
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) A
Mist flower (Ageratum) A
Moss Rose (Portulaca) A
Pansy (Viola) A
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) A
Periwinkle (Madagascar) A
Penstemon (ambiguus) P
Phlox (Phlox drummondii) P
Plumbago (auriculata) P
Plumbago (capensis) P
white to red and purple
white. pink to purple
white. pink to apricot
pink
white to scarlet
yellow
purple
yellow to red
blue
white
red & scarlet, yellow
scarlet-red
white to lavender-blue
blue
orange-yellow
white to pinkish
dark pink to rose
white. pink, blue
yellow, white' pink
yellow
yellow
Lilac
rose-purple
white to pink, red
yellow
white to red
white
lavender to bluish
white to red, salmon
pink to purple
white to rosy-pink or
purple
blue
yellow
white
blue
white, pink to red
white to orange, blue
pink to rose
white, pink to rose
white to pink
white to red
white to blue
pale blue
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to 4'
3"-10"
6"-18"
12"-16''
to 4'
1'-3'
3'-5'
to 2'
1'-3'
1'-5'
to 2'
1'-6'
to 12"
8"-40„
to 2'
to 10"
2'-3'
1'-3'
to 4'
1'-3'
to 3'
to 2'
1'-6'
1'-3'
to 3'
to 5'
to 3'
to 3'
6"-24"
3'-10'
to 3'
spring-summer
spring
April-November
August-October
June-September
spring-fall
spring to fall
spring
spring to fall
June-October
April – fall
summer-fall
May-September
spring-fll
spring-fall
spring-fall
June-September
spring-fall
spring-fall
spring fall
spring-summer
spring-sum-fall
summer-fall
spring-fall
summer-fall
spring
spring-fall
spring-fall
spring-fall
June-October
spring-fall
2'-5'
6"-18"
to 15"
to 12"
to 10"
to 12"
1'-2'
6"-18"
to 20"
to 2'
to 4'
to 3'
spring-fall
spring-fall
spring
spring-fall
spring-fall
October-May
spring-fall
spring fall
spring-fall
February-March
spring-fall
spring-fall
Lesson 1
Purslane (Portulaca) A
Rose Mallow (Lavatera trimestris)
Sage, Mexican Bush, (Salvia leucantha)
Sage, Pineapple (salvia elegans) P
Sage (Salvia farinacea) P
Sage (Salvia coccinea) P
Scabiosa (lyrophylla) A
Shrimp (Beloperone guttata) P
Sunflower, Maximilian P (Helianthus
maximiliani)
Sunflower, Mexican, A (Tithonia
rotundifolia)
Thistle, Globe (Echinop banaticus)
Thistle, Leconte B
Toadflax (linaria canadensis) A
Verbena (elegans) A
Wallflower (Cheiranthus cheiri) A
Wishbone Flower, A (Torenia fournieri)
Zinnia (angustifolia) A
white, pink to red
pink to rose
royal blue
red
blue
red to dark scarlet
white to rose
white, pink
yellow
to 12"
3'-5'
to 4'
to 4'
to 3'
1'-3'
to 2'
2'-3
3'-10'
spring-fall
May-October
spring-fall
spring-fall
spring-fall
spring-fall
spring
spring-fall
summer-fall
yellow to orange
to 6'
spring-fall
powdery blue
purple
pale blue to violet
white, pink to purple
cream to gold, pink to
purple
blue with purple and
yellow
pink
5'-6'
1'-4'
to 28"
6"-24"
to 18"
summer-fall
spring
spring
spring-fall
spring
to 8"
spring-fall
to 12"
spring-fall
white to pink
variable
blue, pink, white
cream
pink to reddish
blue to lavender
white, pink to red
cream and pink
pale lilac to purple
white
white to crimson-purp.
pink
red
white to red
bluish or purple
pale pink to rose
snowy white
white
white
yellow
to 8'
to 6'
4'-6'
3'-15'
to 8'
to 18'
2'-6,
to 4'
to 6'
to 6'
2'-6'
to 10'
6'-21'
to 3'
to 6'
to 15'
to 4'
2'-3'
to 6'
to 9'
June-October
Feb and March
midsummer/fall
June-September
March - October
February-August
spring - fall
May to frost
February Sept
April and May
June - October
June - September
March-June
April to frost
January - Oct
throughout year
April – May
spring
spring
April - Nov
white or pink
white to cream
purplish
lilac to lavender
15'-50'
to 60'
to 45'
10'-20'
April and May
May and June
March – May
June – Sept
Shrubs
Abelia, Glossy (Caprifoliaceae)
Azalea (Rhododendron)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus)
Cherry, Barbados (Malpighia glabra)
Golden-dewdrop (duranta repens)
Hibiscus, Garden
Lantana, Garden
Lantana, trailing, (Lantana montevidensis)
Mock orange (philadelphia)
Rose-mallow, Swamp
Morning Glory, Shrubby
Ocotillo (Fouqieria splendens)
Sage (Salvia greggii)
Sage (Salvaia ballotiflora)
Salt Cedar (Tamarisk)
Silver-bell (Halesia diptera)
Spiraea (Spiraea japonica)
Sweet-spire, Virginia
Yellow-bells (Tecoma stans)
Trees
Apple (Malus pumila)
Catalpa (bignonioides)
China-berry (Melia azedarach)
Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
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Lesson 1
Cherry. Black (Prunus serotina)
Dogwood. Flowering (Comes florida)
Huisache (acacia smallii)
Mimosa (Albizia julfbrissin)
Mock-orange (Styrax americanna)
Plum, Mexican (Prunus mexicana)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Silver-bells, Carolina (Halesia carolina)
Tulip-tree (Liriodendron)
Willow, Desert (Chilopsis linearis)
white
greenish yellow
golden yellow
pale pink
white
white
pink-purplish
snowy white
yellow
white to purple
to 100'
to 36'
to 30'
15'-25'
to 18'
to 25'
to 35'
to 36'
to 100'
6'-30'
March and April
March and April
Feb and March
April – August
April and May
March
March and April
April and May
April and May
April - June
Vines
Bean, Scarlet Runner. A (Phaseolus
coccineus)
Bougainvillea (Nycaginaceae) P
Carolina-jessamine, P (Gelsemium
sempervirens)
Clematis, Autumn, P (Clematis paniculara)
Coral Vine (Antigozon) P
Dutchman's Pipe, P (Aristolochia fimbriata)
Flame Vine, Mexican, P (Pyrostegia venusta)
Honeysuckle, P (Lonicera)
Jasmine. Star, P (Trachelospermum
jasminoides)
Morning Glory, A (Ipomoea purpurea )
Morning Glory (Lindheimer) P
Passionflower (incarnata) P
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) A
Wisteria, Chinese, P (Wisteria sinensis)
red
spring to frost
white to purple
yellow (evergreen)
March –Nov
January – April
white
white to lose-pink
yellowish green
orange
white to red or yellow
white to creamy (evergreen)
August- Sept
August – Dec
spring-summer
June - September
spring - fall
April – May
white, blue, rose to red
pale blue to lavender
lavender to purplish
white, pink to red or
purple
white, blue to purple
spring – fall
April – October
April – Sept
spring or fall
April – May
A = annual, B = biennial, or P = perennial
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 1
ARE YOU LIKE A BUTTERFLY?
Answer these questions:
I have how many?
A Butterfly has how many?
_____________________________ legs _____________________________
_____________________________ eyes _____________________________
_____________________________ wings _____________________________
_____________________________ arms _____________________________
Does a butterfly need wings? __________________________________________
Does a butterfly need arms? ___________________________________________
Do you need arms? _________________________________________________
Do both you and a butterfly need eyes? ___________________________________
Do butterflies need special parts to find food and get away from enemies?
_______________________________________________________________
What parts does a butterfly use to find food? _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________
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Lesson 1
NAME THE STAGES OF A BUTTERFLY
Draw a line from the name to its picture.
egg
caterpillar
chrysalis
butterfly
The caterpillars of butterflies make chrysalides. The caterpillars of moths make cocoons. A
cocoon has silk around it. A chrysalis doesn’t have silk around it.
Print these words:
Egg
________________________________
Caterpillar
________________________________
Chrysalis
________________________________
Butterfly
________________________________
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Lesson 1
BUTTERFLIES ARE INSECTS
Not all animals are insects.
An animal is an insect if it has these things.
6 legs
3 body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen)
4 wings (when it has wings)
2 antennae
2 eyes
Then, is a butterfly an insect? ________ Why? ____________________________
Here is a picture of a spider.
Is a spider an insect? ________
Explain your answer. ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Lesson 1
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Lesson 2
BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE
Objectives:
1.
2.
Learn how insects grow. Students will learn the differences between human and
insects.
Students will learn the life cycle of the butterfly: egg, caterpillar or larva,
chrysalis, and the adult or butterfly.
Material Needed:
Life cycle line drawings for wheel book
Copies of the wheel book pattern on card stock
Life cycle line drawings for picture book
Card stock paper (4" X 6" for cards) for picture book
Brads
Glue
Scissors
Crayons, markers
Student Handouts:
"Are You Like a Butterfly?"
"Butterflies Are Insects"
"Name the Stages of a Butterfly"
"The Butterfly's Life Cycle"
"Making Life Cycle Picture Cards, Books, & Wheel"
Evaluation:
Students will complete the handouts and make a Butterfly Life Cycle Book and Wheel
Book.
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Lesson 2
Lesson 2
BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE
DO
Distribute Lesson 2
"Are You Like a Butterfly?"
"Butterflies Are Insects"
"Name the Stages of a Butterfly"
Give out the student handout - The
Butterfly's Life Cycle line drawings for the
wheel book, copies of the wheel book pattern
on card stock, Life Cycle line drawings for
picture book, card stock paper (4" X 6" for
cards) for picture book, Brads, Glue, Scissors,
Crayons, and Markers.
SAY
Butterflies undergo enormous and dramatic
physical changes during their lives. Before
they are fully-grown, they must pass through
three distinct stages. Did you ever wonder
why there were no baby butterflies? They
begin life as an egg, from which hatches the
caterpillar, or larva as it is sometimes called.
This, in turn, changes into a pupa, or
chrysalis, from which the fully formed wings
adult or butterfly finally emerges. The length
of the life cycle varies.
Some species have just one life cycle in a year,
while other species have two or more.
Sometimes, because of changes in the climate,
the onset of winter or the dry season for
example, the life cycle may be interrupted and
no further development takes place for a
while. This can happen at any stage in the
life cycle, but when it occurs in the winter, it
is called "hibernation."
Butterflies are insects because they have 6
legs, 3 body parts, wings, antennae and eyes.
Complete the student handout "Butterflies
Are Insects." Complete the student handout,
"Are You Like a Butterfly?" and complete the
student handout "Name the Stages of a
Butterfly."
To make the Life Cycle Wheel Book, cut out
the Life Cycle line drawings and the two
wheels. On one wheel cut out an opening. On
the other wheel glue the line drawings of the
4 stages of the Life Cycle of the Butterfly.
Punch a hole in the center and place a brad in
the hole, To make the Life Cycle Picture
Book: Cut out the 6 drawings. Glue a picture
to each of the card stock. Have students
sequence the pictures. Have students match
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Lesson 2
the words to the pictures. After students are
comfortable with the sequence, have them
make their own life cycle book, an accordion
fold book, unfolding book.
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Lesson 2
MAKING LIFE CYCLE PICTURE CARDS, BOOKS & WHEEL
1. After observing and reading about the complete life cycle, review the different stages.
2. Make large picture cards of each stage (see line drawings attached, or each student draw
their own).
3. Each student sequences the pictures.
4. Each student matches the words to the pictures.
5. After students are comfortable with the sequence, make their own life cycle books, using the
line drawings or drawings of their own. Possible types of books include a wheel book, an
accordion fold book, and an unfolding book. To make the wheel book, each student should
cut out the two pages of a wheel, and then glue the 4 small pictures of life cycle line
drawings to the wheel with the dotted lines. Cut out the triangle in the other wheel
drawing. Punch a hole in the center of the two wheels and place a brad in the hole.
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Lesson 2
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Lesson 2
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 2
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Lesson 2
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Lesson 2
EGG
NEW LARVA
LARVA
“J” LARVA
PUPA
BUTTERFLY
EGG
NEW CATERPILLAR
CATERPILLAR
“J” CATERPILLAR
CHRYSALIS
BUTTERFLY
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Lesson 2
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Lesson 2
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Lesson 2
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Lesson 3
THE EGG
Objectives:
l. Learn to identify a butterfly by its eggs.
2. Make a butterfly egg.
Material Needed:
Drawing of 8 butterfly eggs
Molding clay
Oil Paints
Brushes
Evaluation:
Examination of the complete egg case.
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Lesson 3
Lesson 3
THE EGG
DO
Distribute Lesson 3
Drawings of 8 butterfly with eggs:
Gulf Fritillaries
Monarch
Question Mark
Pearly Cresentspot
Spicebush Swallowtail
Spring Azures
Painted Lady
Cloudless Sulfur
Give out the molding clay, oil colors and
brushes.
SAY
The life of an individual butterfly begins
with an egg. These eggs are all shapes and
sizes, and are laid singly or in-groups. The egg
stage can last for an entire winter or a few
days. Monarchs usually lay a single egg on a
plant, often on the bottom of a leaf near the
top of the plant. Monarch eggs hatch about
four days after they are laid. The female
butterfly detects the proper host plant
visually and then lands to sample it with
sensory cells on her legs or antennae. She will
lay dozens, perhaps hundreds, of eggs during
her short life. Butterfly eggs take a variety of
shapes, sizes, texture, and color. Some are
spherical; others are conelike or spindleshaped, often with minute ridges or
sculptured ornamentation. If they begin to
develop immediately, they normally hatch
within a week.
From the "Drawing of 8 butterfly with eggs,
pick out one to reproduce. Then create the
look of the egg picture. Then paint it the right
color. They come in a wide assortment of
colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be green,
purple, ivory or even silver. They can be
round, oval, conical, or squat and flat. Eggs
may lie dormant over the winter or hatch into
caterpillars with a few days.
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Lesson 3
DRAWING OF 8 BUTTERFLY EGGS
l. Gulf Fritillaries:
2. Monarch:
3. Pearly Crescentspot:
4. Question Mark:
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Lesson 3
5. Spicebush Swallowtail:
6. Painted Lady:
7. Cloudless Sulphur:
8. Spring Azures:
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Lesson 3
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Lesson 4
THE CATERPILLAR OR LARVA
Objectives:
1. Learn the parts of a caterpillar and the role each plays in the development of the
butterfly.
2. Learn that larva is a growth stage of all insects with complete metamorphosis.
3. Learn how to make a caterpillar-rearing container.
Material Needed:
Clear 2-liter plastic soft drink bottle
Scissors
Small plastic tub, like a margarine container
Nail or pencil
Tape
Scrap of netting or old panty hose
Strong rubber band
Student Handouts:
5 Pictures of Caterpillars
"Find the Parts of A Caterpillar"
Make a caterpillar-growing container, page 48-51 in The Family Butterfly
Book, (see resources)
Evaluation:
Students will complete a caterpillar-rearing container.
Test of knowledge about the anatomy of a caterpillar.
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Lesson 4
Lesson 4
THE CATERPILLAR OR LARVA
DO
Distribute Lesson 4
Student Handout:
5 Pictures of Caterpillars
"Find the Parts of a Caterpillar"
SAY
The word larva refers to the growth stage of
all insects with complete metamorphosis.
Caterpillar refers only to a butterfly or moth
in this stage. Either word is correct, but most
scientists say larva. It is during this stage
that butterflies do all of their growing; in
fact this is often just about all that they do.
Look at the Picture of the Caterpillar
Anatomy. There are three distinct body parts.
They have a head, and a body with a thorax
and an abdomen. The head has a pair of short
antennae, mouthparts (upper lip, mandibles,
and lower lip), and six pairs of simple eyes,
called ocelli. Even with all of these eyes, the
caterpillar's vision is poor. The antennae help
to guide the weak-eyed caterpillar, and the
maxillary palps (sensory organs) help direct
food into its jaws. Each section has a pair of
jointed, or true legs, while some of the
abdominal segments have false legs, or
prolegs.
Fill out the sheet "Find the Parts of a
Caterpillar."
These insect "eating machines" take few
breaks even for rest.
Many of them begin life by eating their
eggshell, than move on to their host plant,
When the caterpillar becomes too large for its
skin, it molts, or sheds its skin, The head
capsule is the first part of the old skin to
come off during the molting process. Then the
old skin peels back from the front of the
caterpillar.
The shed skin if often eaten before the
caterpillar ingests more plant food. The
intervals between molts are called instars.
Monarchs go through five instars. Important
larval enemies include microscopic organisms,
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Lesson 4
insect creatures that feed on living larval
tissue, predatory insects, lizards, frogs, mice
and birds. Monarch larvae are somewhat
protected from vertebrate predation by the
toxins in the milkweed that they eat, but
many are eaten by other insects and spiders.
Just before they pupate, the caterpillars spin
a silk mat from which they hand upside
down. The silk comes from the spinneret on
the bottom of the head. After shedding its
skin for the last time, the caterpillar stabs a
stem into the silk pad to hang. The stem
extends from its rear and is called the
cremaster.
Have students make a "Caterpillar - growing
container," from The Family Butterfly Book,
page 48-51 (see resources), Give out:
Clear 2-liter plastic soft drink bottle Scissors,
small plastic tub, like a Margarine container,
nail or pencil, tape, Scrap of netting or old
panty hose, and Strong rubber band.
It cost nothing, and it works, Keep the water
clean and the plants fresh, Follow directions,
Fasten the bottle and the tub together with a
string or tape. It may save hours of tip toeing
around and searching for an escapee. Never
place the container n direct sunlight. Always
handle your larvae as little as possible, Place
a leaf just underneath the caterpillar's head,
Rotate the leaf away from the caterpillar, but
keep it underneath the head.
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Lesson 4
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Lesson 4
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Lesson 4
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Lesson 4
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Lesson 5
THE CHRYSALIS OR PUPA
Objectives:
1. Learn where butterflies come from; see the changes from the larva to the adult.
2. Learn the meaning of metamorphosis.
Material Needed:
Drawing of Chrysalis
Toilet-paper tube
Tongue depressor or ice cream pop stick
Heavy paper with two Butterflies drawn on it
6" piece of pipe cleaner, folded in half
Markers or crayons
Scissors and glue
Student Handout:
"Butterfly Emerging From Chrysalis"
Evaluation:
Discover how a butterfly is born.
Students will complete an activity do demonstrate how a butterfly is born.
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Lesson 5
Lesson 5
THE CHRYSALIS OR PUPA
DO
SAY
Distribute Lesson 5
While the process of complete metamorphosis
looks like four very distinct stages, continuous
Student Handouts:
changes actually occur within the larva. The
Drawing of Chrysalis
wings and other adult organs develop from
tiny clusters of cells already present in the
larva, and by the time the larva pupates, the
major changes to the adult form have already
begun.
During the pupal stage the transformation
from larva to adult is completed. Butterflies
do not spin a cocoon to protect them as pupae
and their pupa stage is often called a
chrysalis. Pupae are much less mobile than
larvae or adults, yet they often exhibit sudden
movements if they are disturbed. Many
butterfly pupae are well-camouflaged, since
they can't escape from predators by flying
away. Just before the butterfly emerges, their
wing patterns are visible through the pupa
covering, This is not because the pupa becomes
transparent; it is because the scale color only
develops at the very end of the pupa stage,
The pupa stage usually last ten to fourteen
days under normal summer conditions.
Student handout and material for: "Butterfly Ever wonder where a butterfly comes from? It
Emerging From Chrysalis" Toilet paper tube.
comes from a chrysalis (KRIS-us-liss) which is
tongue depressor or Ice cream pop stick, heavy also called a pupa. A chrysalis looks like a tiny
paper with Butterflies drawn on it. 6" piece of leathery pouch. You can find one underneath
pipe Cleaner, folded in half. markers or
some leaves in summer. Some animals don't
Crayons, scissors and glue.
change much as they grow up. Think about it:
someone your age looks a lot like a grown-up.
Grown-ups have more wrinkles and gray hair.
But they still have two arms, two legs and
one head --just like you. We have been
studying an animal that's very different - the
butterfly. Butterflies go through four life
stages, and they look very different at each
stage.
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Lesson 5
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 5
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 5
female
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
male
Lesson 5
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 5
BUTTERFLY EMERGING FROM CHRYSALIS
HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:
1) Cut out and color a butterfly from the
heavy paper. Use any color, but make both
halves look the same. Put a small hole at the
top of the butterfly's head.
2) Color the toilet paper tube to look like a
chrysalis. (Most are green, but you can use
any color.)
3) Take a piece of pipe cleaner and shape it
like the letter "V". Put one point through the
little hole in the butterfly's head and then
twist it to look like antennae, Butterflies use
these "feelers" to learn about their
environment.
4) Glue the butterfly to one end of the pop
stick. Let the glue dry.
5) Curl the butterfly's wing and slide it into
the chrysalis.
6) Pull the stick to make the beautiful
butterfly come out of the chrysalis. Fly your
butterfly like a real one!
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Lesson 5
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 5
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
Lesson 6
THE BUTTERFLY OR ADULT
Objective:
1. Learn the needs of the butterfly to survive.
2. Build a hanging butterfly cage to observe it movements.
Materials:
Student Handouts:
Drawings of a butterfly
"Butterfly Anatomy and Life Cycle"
"Making a Butterfly Net"
1 piece of nylon netting or organdy, 2 feet by 3 feet
1 coat hanger
1 broomstick or- 3/4 inch dowel, 4 feet long
"Building a Butterfly Cage to Hang"
Hanger or large embroidery hoop
Cardboard round (e.g., from pizza) for base of cage
String or rope. Toothpicks, Paper clips, Bridal veil netting
When Releasing a Butterfly from page 85 of "The Family Butterfly Book" (see resources)
Evaluation:
See the results of the activities to ascertain how much was learned in these projects
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
Lesson 6
THE BUTTERFLY OR ADULT
DO
SAY
Distribute Lesson 6
Drawing of a butterfly
“Butterfly Anatomy and Life Cycle”
All butterflies have two pairs of wings more
or less densely covered with scales. Butterfly
scales come in many shapes and sizes, covering
the wings and other body parts. Scales give
butterflies their coloration, help insulate their
bodies and improve the aerodynamics
efficiency of the wings. When butterflies
emerge from the pupa, they immediately hang
their crumpled moist wings downward to
expand and dry. It usually takes several hours
until adults are ready to fly. The primary job
of the adult stage is to reproduce -- to mate
and lay the eggs that will become the next
generation. Adults in summer generations live
from two to five weeks.
Take the quiz "Butterfly Anatomy and Life
Cycle" to see how much information on
butterflies you have retained.
No growth occurs in the adult stage, but
butterflies need to obtain nourishment to
maintain their body and fuel it for flight.
Nectar from flowers, which is about 20%
sugar, provides most of their adult food. Most
butterflies are not picky about the source of
their nectar, visiting many different flowers.
Butterflies use vision to find flowers, but once
they land on a potential food source, they use
taste receptors on their feet to find the nectar.
To catch a butterfly to observe it more closely,
you can build a net.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
Distribute Student Handout - "Making a
Butterfly Net"
1 piece of nylon netting or organdy 2'X 3'
1 coat hanger
1 broomstick or 3/4" dowel, 4' long
Distribute Student Handout:
"Building a Butterfly Cage to Hang" Hanger
or large embroidery hoop Cardboard round for
base of cage string or rope, toothpicks, paper
clips, bridal veil netting
When in flight, butterflies are wary and
difficult to catch. It's best to locate them
feeding on flowers or while they are on the
roosts late in the day or early in the morning.
Approach butterflies slowly (from behind if
possible) as sudden movement will startle
them into flight. Sweep the net forward
quickly and flip the end of the net bag over
net handle after you catch a butterfly to
prevent them from flying back out of the net.
You want the butterfly in the deep end of the
net. With one hand holding the handle, use
the other hand to collapse the end of the net.
There should be enough space at the deep end
to prevent damaging the butterfly. Gently
flatten the net base so the wings of the
butterfly are closed over its back and place
your thumb and forefinger over the leading
edge of the wings (from outside of net). Next,
with the thumb and forefinger of your other
hand, reach into the net and firmly grasp the
back of all four wings. Carefully remove the
butterfly.
In order to observe the movement of a
butterfly, you need to build a butterfly cage.
This cage has the advantage of being able to
collapse into a manageable size for storage
while you don't have butterflies in your
classroom. You can make it any dimensions.
Many modify this design to make a sturdy,
long-lasting cage by using a plywood round
instead of cardboard, and building a support
structure to hold the cage.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
Read and discuss with Student "When
Releasing a Butterfly" from page 85 of The
Family Butterfly Book. (see resources)
Carefully remove the butterfly. If you wish to
store your butterfly or to transport or hold for
later examination, you can use a paper
triangle or envelope. If you need to store the
butterfly for more than a few hours or up to 2
days, place the envelope in a plastic box or zip
lock bag in a refrigerator. It will be fine! Be
sure to keep captured butterflies out of the
sun.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
Nectaring monarch, with abdomen hidden between hindwings.
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Lesson 6
WHEN RELEASING A BUTTERFLY
There are many species of butterflies residing in every state. Enjoy and become acquainted with
the ones that live in your area before you attempt to raise others. If they are not in your area
now, it's because what they need to survive is not present. With the signing of the Plant
Protection Act, there is now a $50,000 fine for illegally transporting a butterfly across a state
line.
• Do experience the excitement of raising butterflies.
• Do release your butterflies back into your garden.
• Do release them outside at the proper time of year.
• Do use only healthy and active butterflies.
• Do use butterflies from your home state.
• Do encourage others to nurture and release butterflies.
• Do not import live butterflies from other countries.
• Do not ship live butterflies out of your home state unless you have secured permits from the
United States Department of Agriculture.
• Do not purchase live butterflies from breeders who do not have the proper permits.
• Do not release butterflies into an area where they would not naturally be found.
• Do not release butterflies at a time of year when they would not normally be flying.
• Do not collect butterflies from state or federal parks.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
BUTTERFLY ANATOMY AND LIFE CYCLE
Fill in the blanks below using words from the word bank.
Word Bank
Metamorphosis
insects
eyes
leaf
six
flying
adult
butterfly
caterpillar
egg
chest
skin
Butterflies are beautiful, flying ______________________ that have large scaly wings.
Like all insects, they have ______________________ jointed legs, 3 body parts, a pair of
antennae, compound ______________________, and an exoskeleton. The three body parts
are the head, thorax (the ______________________), and abdomen (the tail end).
The butterfly's body is covered by tiny sensory hairs. The four wings and the six legs of the
butterfly are attached to the thorax. The thorax contains the muscles that make the legs and
wings move.
Butterflies and moths undergo complete ______________________ in which they go
through four different life stages.
• Egg – A ______________________ starts its life as an egg, often laid on a
______________________.
• Larva - The larva (______________________) hatches from an
______________________ and eats leaves almost constantly. The caterpillar molts (loses
its old ______________________) many times as it grows. The caterpillar will increase up
to several thousand times in size before pupating.
• Pupa - It turns into a pupa (chrysalis); this is a resting stage.
• Adult - A beautiful, ______________________ adult emerges. This
______________________ will continue the cycle.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
MAKING A BUTTERFLY NET
Step 1. Fold netting in half.
Step 2. Cut folded netting.
Step 3. Unfold and 3 inch hem at top.
Step 4. Fold again and sew together.
Step 5. Straighten a coat hanger, bend in a circle and thread through hem.
Step 6. Bend ends to fit handle.
Step 7. Tape wire to handle.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Lesson 6
BUILDING A BUTTERFLY CAGE TO HANG
• If using a hanger, bend into a circle.
• Cut a rectangle of netting large enough to go around the cardboard and the hanger, with
several inches of overlap.
• Close the netting around the cardboard and tie off the bottom end.
• Attach the hanger or embroidery hoop to the netting with paperclips.
• Tie off the top of the cage with rope.
• Finish by using toothpicks to connect the overlapping flaps.
• Hang from ceiling or other sturdy support inside the class room.
Note: Kid tent (with screening) may be used for large, in-class butterfly cages.
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Lesson 6
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
VOCABULARY
abdomen - (AB-duh-men): the rear part of an insect's body. Ten prolegs support this part of the
caterpillar. No legs support this part of the butterfly.
antenna - (an-TEN-uh), plural, antennae (an-TE-nee): the feelers on the head of an insect.
Antennae are used for feeling, smelling, and tasting.
caterpillar - (CAT-er-pill-er): the second stage in life of a butterfly just after it hatches from the
egg.
chrysalis - (KRISS-uh-lis); plural, chrysalides (KRISS-uh-lids): another name for pupa, the
second stage of a butterfly's four part life.
cremaster - (KREE-mas-ter): the black stem with many tiny hooks on its tip that attaches the
chrysalis to the silk button spun by the caterpillar.
exoskeleton - (ex-o-SKEL-ah-ton): the outer "skeleton" of an insect (insects do not have bones)
made of the cuticle.
frass - the solid waste or excrement of caterpillars and butterflies and called caterpillar poop by
most students.
hibernation - (hi-ber-NAY-shun): when an animal sleeps through the winter.
insect - (IN-sekt): an animal with a hard outer skin. And insect's body has 3 parts: a head, a
thorax, and an abdomen. Insects have 6 legs, 2 antennae and usually, wings.
instar - (IN-star) a period between larval molts. There are five of these periods in the growth of
some larva.
larva - (LAR-vuh). plural, larvae (LAR-vee): the second stage, after the egg, in metamorphosis.
Also known as caterpillar.
Lepidoptera - (lep-uh-DOP-ter-uh): the order of insects that is made up of butterflies and
moths,
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Vocabulary
mandibles - (MAN-da-bulz): strong "jaws" on the larval head.
mating - the joining of a male (father) and a female (mother) to make babies.
maxillary palp - (MAX-a-lary palps): small sensory organs on either side of the mouth of a
caterpillar that help direct food.
metamorphosis - (met-ah-MOR-fa-sis): A complete change from one form to another. Through
metamorphosis a butterfly is transformed from an egg, to a larva (caterpillar), to a pupa
(chrysalis), to a adult (butterfly).
migration - when an animal travels a long way, at certain times of the year, to find a better
place to live.
molting - the shedding of an animal's old layer of skin, scales, fur or feathers.
nectar - sweet, sugary syrup made by flowers to attract insects.
ocellus - (o-SEL-us), plural, ocelli: simple eyes of some insects. Some larvae have 12 ocelli.
pupa - the stage in the life of a butterfly or moth between the caterpillar and the adult insect.
parasites - organisms that live in or on a host's body and depend on the host for nutrients and
resources necessary to complete their life cycle.
proboscis - (pro-BOSS-is): the long, coiled sucking tube the butterfly uses for eating its liquid
diet of nectar.
prolegs - (PRO-legs): stubby, fleshy legs supporting the abdomen of a caterpillar. Most
caterpillars have 10 prolegs, also called false legs. The six "true" legs are part of the
thorax.
pupa - (PUE-pa) plural, pupae (PUE-pee): The third stage in the life of a butterfly between
the caterpillar and the adult insect. Also called the chrysalis.
scales - overlapping pieces of material that insulate butterflies' bodies and wings, improve their
aerodynamics, and give them color and markings. Many people think the scales look like
fine dust on butterfly wings.
spinneret - (SPIN-ah-ret): the organ on the bottom of the larva head from which silk is spun.
This is the only silk-producing organ in the larvae.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Vocabulary
thorax - (THO-rax): the middle part of an insect's body. The wings, if present, and legs are
attached to this segment.
tracheae - (TRAY-kee-uh) plural (TRAY-kee). long tubes that deliver air through the body of an
insect. In caterpillars these are attached to the spiracles and are pulled out of the body
during molting.
true legs - joined appendages located on the thoracic segment of a larva. Contract with prolegs.
warning coloration - bright colors that advertise poisons or other harmful defenses to potential
predators.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Vocabulary
Backyard Butterflies
Teaching Guide
MATERIALS FOR THE BUTTERFLY CURRICULUM
BOOKS ON BUTTERFLIES AND BUTTERFLY GARDENING:
Ajilvsgi, Geyata. 1990. Butterfly Gardening for the South. Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas.
Berger, Melvin. 1993. A butterfly is born. Newbridge Comms.: New York. Macmillan early science Big Book.
Life cycle of the monarch with wonderful big photos and simple text.
Brimner, L. D. 1999. Butterflies and Moths. Children's Press, NY. Good description and pictures.
Brown, Ruth. 1983. If at first you do not see. Henry Holt and Co. NY. Reading Rainbow book of a
caterpillar's search for food in strange places.
Carle, Eric, 1969. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Putnam Publishing Group:. NY. A wonderful standard.
Cassie, Brian and Jerry Pallota. 1995. The butterfly alphabet book. Charlesbridge. Pictures of 26 different
butterflies in an alphabet book.
Clyne, Densey. 1994. Flutter by butterfly. Independent Publishers Group: Chicago. Life cycle of butterflies
with excellent photographs of many species. Discusses enemies and other information.
Cox, R. K, Cork, B. 1980. Usborne First Nature Butterflies and Moths. EDC Publishing. Tulsa, OK.
Creagh, Carson. 1996. Things with Wings. Weldon Owen, Australia. It captures the intriguing lives of many
creatures in the air around us.
Dunn, G.A. 1991. Discover Butterflies. Publication International, Ltd.: Illinois.
Fichter, George. 1993. Butterflies and Moths. Western Publishing Company, NY. A Golden Book of the
Golden Junior Guides. Discover the wonderful world of nature.
French, Vivian. 1993. Caterpillar, caterpillar. Candlewick Press.: London. Story of several kinds of caterpillars
that eat nettle. Covers life cycle.
Garland, Peter. 1992. Monarch butterfly. The Wright Group, Emergent level. Simple version of the life cycle
with good photographs.
Goor, Ron and Nancy. 1990. Insect metamorphosis from egg to adult. Macmillan Children's Group: New York.
The process of metamorphosis in many insects, including butterflies, Great photos.
Harvey, Diane and Bob. 1991. Melody's mystery. Beautifly America Publishers. Text in Spanish and English,
wonderful photographs, emphasis on migration and life cycle.
Heller, Ruth. 1992. How to hide a butterfly. Platt and Munk: New York.
Hogan, Paula. 1984. The life cycle of the butterfly. Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers: Chatham, NJ. Simple
text on monarch metamorphosis.
Josephson, Judith. 1988. The monarch butterfly. Crestwood House: Mankato, MN. Well laid-out book for 3-6
grade researchers.
Julivert, Maria A. 1991. The fascinating world of butterflies and moths. Barron's Educational Series:
Hauppauge, NY. Good close-up drawings and lots of information.
Kaufman, Elizabeth. 1986. Butterflies. Price/Stern/sloan. Information about many butterflies.
Lasky, Kathryn. 1993. Monarchs. Harcourt Brace. NY. Arresting text and dramatic photographs.
Legg, Gerald. From Caterpillar to Butterfly. Grolier Publishing. CT. Life cycle of a butterfly.
Ling, Mary. 1992. See how they grow: Butterfly. Dorling Kinderslety, Inc.: NY. Simple version of the life
cycle of several species. Photographs and art.
Mikula, Rick. 2000. The Family Butterfly Book. Storey Books.: Pownal, VT.
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Resources
Mitchell, Robert T. 1987. Butterflies and Moths. Golden Book Publishing Co. NY. Illustrated in full color 423
of the most common, widespread, important, or unusual species .
Opler, Paul & Wright, A.B.. 1994, Peterson Flash Guides - Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin. More than 100
species-all the butterflies most commonly seen across the U.S. and Canada.
Preston-Mafham, Ken. 1999. Butterflies. Chartwell Books, NJ. The new compact study guide and identifier.
Porter, Keith. 1990. Discovering butterflies and moths. Franklin Watts, Inc.: NY. Good information for upper
level elementary students.
Reidel, Marlene. 1981. From egg to butterfly. Crolrhoda books, Minneapolis, MN. The life cycle of butterflies.
Robinson, Elva. 1989. When will you be a butterfly? DLM Teaching Resources: Allen, TX.
Ryder, Joanne. 1989. Where butterflies grow. Dutton Children's Books: NY. The life cycle of a black
swallowtail. with information on starting a butterfly garden.
Sabin, Louis. 1982. The amazing world of butterflies and moths. Troll associates: NY. General information on
basic lepidopteran biology.
Scott, James. 1986. The Butterflies of North America - A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford
University Press: Stanford, CA.
Scrace, Carolyn. 2000. The Journey of a Butterfly. Grolier Publishing. NY. Migration of the Monarch
butterfly.
Still, John. 1991. Eyewitness Juniors: 9 Amazing Butterflies and Moths. Alfred A. Knopf: NY. Good photos
and simple explanations for K-4.
Stokes, D., L, Stokes. and E. Williams. 1991. The Butterfly Book. Little, Brown, and Company: NY
Tveten, John & Gloria. 1996. Butterflies of Houston and Southeast Texas. University of Texas Press.
Walker, Colin. 1989. Going to be a butterfly. The Wright Croup. Fluent level. Life cycle with drawings.
SEED AND PLANT SOURCES:
Another Place in Time
421 W 11th Street
Houston, Texas
Buchanan's Native Plants
611 E. 11th Street
Houston, Texas
Houston Daylily Garden, Inc.
P. O. Box 7008, Department MN
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Lowery Nursery
2323 Sleepy Hollow Road
Conroe, Texas 77385
Nelson Water Gardens
1502 Katy Ft. Bend County Road
Katy, Texas 77493
RCW Nurseries, Ink
15809 SH 249
Houston, Texas
Armand Bayou Nature Center
8600 Bay Area Boulevard
P.O. Box 58828
Houston, Texas 77258
Cornelius Nurseries, Inc.
1200 N. Dairy Ashford
2233 S. Voss
Houston, Texas
Joshna's Native Plants
502 W 18th Street
Houston, Texas
Lilypons Water Gardens
839 FM 1489
Brookshire, Texas
Native American Seed
127 North 16th Street
Junction, Texas 76849
Teas Nursery, Ind
4400 Bellaire Blvd
1445 W. Bay Area Blvd
4545 Beechnut
3600 SE Beltway 8
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Resources
Willhite Seed, Inc.
P.O. Box 23
Poolville, Texas 76437
Wabash Antiques & Feed Store
5701 Washington Avenue
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Wildseed Farms
425 Wildflower Hills - P.O. Box 3000
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624-3000
SOIL AND FERTILIZER SOURCES:
Living Earth Technology Co.
5625 Crawford Road
Houston, Texas
Southwest Fertilizer
5828 Bissonnet
Houston, Texas
BUTTERFLIES AND CATERPILLAR SOURCES:
Butterflies Over Texas
2510 Riverview Trail
Granbury, Texas 76048
817.573.2919
www.butterfliesovertexas.com
Fredericksburg Butterfly Ranch & Habitat
508 W. Main
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
830.990.0735
www.livebutterfly.com
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Resources
WEB SITES FOR BUTTERFLY CURRICULUM
Fredericksburg Butterfly Ranch & Habitat: www.livebutterfly.com
Willhite Seed Inc: www.willhiteseed.com
Wildflower seeds: www.wildseedfarms.com
The International Butterfly Breeders Association: www.butterflybreeders.org
International federation of Butterfly Enthusiasts: www.ifbe.org
The Lepidopterists' Society: alpha.furman.edu/~snyder/snyder/lep/
Monarch Watch: www.monarchwatch.org
North American Butterfly Association: www.naba.org
Backyard Wildlife Habitat project: www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/
Children's Butterflies sites: www.mesc.nbs.gov/butterfly
Iowa State Entomology Index K-12: www.ent.iastate.edu/list/k-12_educator_resources.html
Let's Get Growing: www.letsgetgrowing.com
Nelson Water Gardens: www.nelsonwatergardens.com
Butterflies Over Texas: www.butterfliesovertexas.com
Butterfly & Nature Gift Store: www.butterfly-gifts.com
Monarchs in the Classroom: www.monarchlab.umn.edu
Butterflies of Harris County, Texas:
www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/TX/895.htm
All about Painted Lady Butterflies: http://www.earthsbirthday.org/butterflies/activitykit/index.htm
Order butterflies for your school: http://www.earthsbirthday.org/butterflies/activitykit/contact.html
Native American Seed: www.seedsource.com
Texas A&M University, insect images: insects.tamu.edu/imagegallery
Texas Gulf Coast Butterfly Page: www.io.com/~pdhulce/utcbfly.html
Visit Backyard Butterflies online at http://www.klru.org/butterflies
Resources