Painted Lady Butterflies

We have been raising Painted Lady Butterflies in Primary during the past few weeks, and have learned so much fun information! Meg Porter was so kind to bring some in for us to watch grow and change. They were released in the front of the church and all flew off happily. The kids were proud for raising them and clapped and cheered as they took off. 

• Butterflies make a chrysalis; moths make a cocoon.  They are different.  A chrysalis is made from hardened protein as the butterfly caterpillar sheds one last time.  A cocoon is made from silk the moth caterpillar spins around itself.  A butterfly pupa has nothing spun around it.

Egg Facts:

• Painted Lady Butterfly eggs are a light green color and as small as a pin tip.
• When the egg hatches, the new caterpillar will eat its egg.

Caterpillar Facts:

• Painted Lady Butterfly caterpillars will eat thistle, sunflower, okra, and other plants in the Asteraceae family.
• Painted Lady caterpillars spin silk to help support and protect themselves.
• Painted Lady caterpillars hang upside down in a "J" shape when they are ready to pupate

---

Chrysalis Facts:

• While a chrysalis, much of the caterpillar's body liquifies and reassembles as a butterfly.
• The chrysalis can shake violently to ward off predators!​

---

Butterfly Facts:

• The new butterfly cannot eat or fly when it is born!
• The new butterfly's wings are wet and folded when it emerges.  It hangs from its chrysalis to dry, harden, and stretch its wings and body.  
• A new butterfly drops meconium out its abdomen shortly after it is born.  The meconium looks red (like your blood) and is made from left over caterpillar parts that the butterfly doesn't use.
• Painted Lady Butterflies enjoy eating oranges, watermelon, other fruits, and sugar water.
• Painted Lady Butterflies live in every continent in the world except Australia and Antarctica.

---