Insect Lore Cup of Caterpillars - 5 Live Painted Lady Caterpillars with Food - Refill for Butterfly Garden Kit - Chrys-A-Lid Holding Log Included - STEM Learning Activity

Last year, we bought the complete set with the habitat and my kids absolutely loved watching the caterpillars form their chrysalises and emerge as butterflies, so we ordered the caterpillars to do it again this year. We received a cup with five caterpillars, which all formed chrysalises within 5-7 days. The butterflies emerged about 5 days later. This is a largely hands off activity, as the cup includes all the food that the caterpillars require. All you really need to do is transfer the lid with the chrysalises to the habitat before the butterflies emerge and feed the butterflies if you do not release them immediately. However, as these are living creatures, it is not guaranteed that everything will go as expected. One chrysalis fell off of the lid. They will not form properly if they are not hanging, so I used a bit of glue to reattach it and it turned out fine. Another one was much smaller than the others and had a terrible time freeing itself from the chrysalis. It eventually got out but still had part of the chrysalis attached and could not spread its wings, so I used a pair of tweezers to free it, and it was able to fly away. A third one emerged with deformed wings and cannot fly, so more than two weeks later it is still hanging out in the habitat. We give it an orange slice and cotton ball soaked with sugar water every day. Overall, this is a fantastic project for kids of all ages. My 3 and 5 year old loved watching each stage of the life cycle and were fascinated to see the butterflies eat up close. I highly recommend.

I previously purchased the set up for growing the caterpillars to butterflies. I bought these the following year for a new class of students. We were able to watch four caterpillars turn into butterflies! This is such a fun experience for kids and get a basis of a lifecycle. These products are good quality, easy instructions, great value, and educational!

Students are loving this.

Received this refill to grow new butterflies and there were only 3 caterpillars. They are growing fine, but I didnt get what I paid for.

I got this for my girls because I always forget to send in the vouchers for the caterpillars. They came in a decent amount of time and all five became butterflies. However just understand upon release you might give your children a front seat view to the circle of life. Two of the five became an instant bird snack just plucked out of the air mid flight and what followed well as I said circle of life. Three hopefully found their way to freedom. Will we do again 100% yes but maybe we release from the front yard instead of the backyard next time.

My granddaughter enjoyed watching the tiny caterpillars grow rapidly. However at least one of the caterpillars has died. Hoping doe at least a couple butterflies!!

Would 100% recommend. Over all great experience for myself and my daughter. I received the caterpillars super fast after ordering. Unfortunately one of the caterpillars did not make it within a few days so that left me with 4. All 4 caterpillars had went into their cocoon. 2 butterflies just came out today and I’m still waiting on the last 2. I plan to set the 2 butterflies free after 24 hours so their wings can dry and expand. Make sure when purchasing these you also buy the butterflies enclosures separate as they do not come with it. First 2 pictures are of the caterpillars after a few days of getting them ( they grow so fast) Last 2 pictures show my 2 beautiful butterflies that hatched. Just waiting on 2 more!! This was so much fun

Great learning experience for kids and adults! It’s easy to use. Instructions are easy. My only complaint is I have ordered this numerous times and every time I only get four caterpillars even though it’s states you should get five. I feel like this point they owe me a free cup of caterpillars lol. Definitely worth buying. It makes a great gift also. Also, the netting tent they come in last a long time so we can do butterflies every year!

We received 1 dead Caterpillar and the other 4 came already in chrysalis form, 3 of the chrysalis never developed and just dried. Only one butterfly emerged and had a deformed wing. Very sad

Caterpillars arrived all alive and became butterflies in a few days and stayed with us for around 3 weeks and even laid some small tiny eggs before they parted. Very recommended learning cycle for your little ones.

Caterpillars arrived all crushed and dead, the 'handle with care' labels were all covered over with a second packaging - not sure why it would be packaged this way?