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Butterfly Cocoon in Classroom

Posted on September 17, 2002

Question:
I run a daycare, and the children have recently brought me a caterpiller that we put in a box it spun a cacoon very quickly with in days of capturing it. Every day the children ask me when it will turn into a butterfly, I have no idea. HOw long does it take to make itself a butterfly?
ARe there things that i should be doing to the cacoon like adding water drops to the box etc?

Answer:
Butterfly Cocoon in Classroom: There are many different cycles for butterflies and moths. Some hatch in the same season but some are meant as a winter protection for the insect to get through winter. Some even have the ability to stay in a certain stage if conditions are adverse for hatching or emerging. I have always kept mine outside in a shaded area and they seem to do fine although this was mostly through the summer time. Inside they may need some humidity, which could be a small bowl with water in it, kept in the container where the cocoon is. Don't forget that when it emerges it may need to be fed. Good Luck, Chuck.

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