Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close with this reusable, collapsible habitat. Fine, transparent mesh lets you see butterfly metamorphosis up close. Product includes easy-to-use feeder and complete instructions for habitat. Butterfly larvae with food shipped directly to your home. The habitat collapses for storage when not in use. You can adopt and raise a handful of caterpillars, watch them transform into painted lady butterflies, then lift the garden cover to release your beautiful specimens into the wild. This exciting habitat makes a fabulous introduction to the miracles of nature. The larvae and food available round the year.
Did you know that painted ladies (the butterflies, that is) taste with their feet and have 10,000 eyes? You and your kids will be fascinated by all you learn about these beautiful creatures with the Butterfly Garden from Insect Lore. The kit comes with a relatively easy-to-assemble observation chamber; supplies for feeding the butterflies (you provide only sugar and water); an informative booklet of clear instructions and butterfly facts; and a certificate for three to five free painted lady caterpillars. The metamorphosis from larva to butterfly takes about three weeks from when you receive the caterpillar larvae (which arrive in a small container with all the nutrients they need). Your children can watch the larvae increase dramatically in size, form chrysalides, and finally emerge into full-fledged painted ladies (it's suggested that they release the butterflies after a few days of observation). This would make a wonderful activity for families with kids of any age, but younger children will need help assembling the observation chamber and reading the instruction booklet. (Note: The manufacturer recommends that butterflies should not be set free in temperatures lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.) --Rachel Radway
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
AWESOME!:
I got this for my then 5 year old daughter. She took it into school as her "show and tell" each week and the kids got to witness a couple of the butterflies hatch. She's never been so excited about a present in her life. She wants another kit for her birthday this year. We'll definitely be doing this again. Great experience and hands on learning.
Great for tweens:
i bought this for my 9 yr old niece for her birthday. She was so thrilled with it. Very educational and entertaining!
Great Product - this is my second one:
I bought this 3 or 4 years ago for my son. Sent away for the caterpillars and had two delighted kids watching the whole process happen. Each summer this has also been our lightening bug container each night in June and July. We've caught local caterpillars and had varying degrees of success having them turn to butterflies or moths. My son's preschool and kindergarten class have also borrowed it for a month at a time when they were doing butterfly projects. So it wore out. Hence we are happily... more info
Extra Expense Involved!!!:
I just opened this up to see that you have to pay extra $$ for the shipping and handling o the butterflies. Sorry, but this should be included in the price. I already paid for this and should not have to pay more! I am looking forward to doing this with my daughterm but disappointed that I have to shell out more money to get what I already should have purchased.
