Insects & Bugs Backyard Workbook

Raise Native Caterpillars and Release Them Finding a caterpillar is one of the highlights of spring and summer. But unless it’s a really iconic caterpillar, like a monarch, identifying caterpillars can be tricky for beginners. (Many caterpillars, including all the classic “inchworms” will end up being moths.) But you don’t need to identify your caterpillar to rear it. One of the most fun ways to identify a moth or a butterfly is after it’s turned into an adult! What You Need High-quality butterfly house Ample supply of fresh leaves Water source for the leaves, but one that the caterpillar can’t enter (e.g., empty pill bottle) What to Do When you find a caterpillar, immediately note what plant you find it on and, if it’s on the ground, the plants that are nearby. These are likely the caterpillar’s host plants (the ones it needs to eat to become an adult). If you’re unsure of which plants to gather, bring in a sampling of several different kinds. If you want an exact answer, post a photo of your caterpillar on a site like BugGuide.Net and ask for help on finding out what it eats. Once you have the caterpillar and the host plants, you’ll need to ready your butterfly house. Many common, commercially available houses are mesh cylinders. First, prepare your water source for the host plants. Do not provide a water dish or another water source at the bottom of a butterfly house; caterpillars drown easily. Instead, have a parent help you drill or cut a hole in a small container, like an old pill bottle, and put the plant stems into the water source. Make sure the caterpillar can’t fall into the water and drown. Over time, you’ll need to replace the leaves, and eventually, the caterpillar will begin to pupate. This is a fascinating process in its own right, but watching one emerge is even better. Of course, things can go wrong when collecting wild caterpillars. Parasitic wasps often attack/infest caterpillars. If your cage is dirty, caterpillars can get sick. And if you find a caterpillar in late summer, it might be one that overwinters as a pupa. Still, with practice and hard work, there’s a good chance that you’ll get to watch moths and butterflies all summer long.