Lifecycle of a Butterfly

Since we started school a few weeks ago we have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our caterpillars in the mail. They finally arrived a few days ago and within a 30 hour period all of our Painted Lady Caterpillars turned into chrysalis all 10 of them. Now we just had to move the little white paper disks to the butterfly pavilion and wait. Less than a week later the first butterfly emerged and we watched as his wings grew bigger and stronger. It was such a fast process to see them pop out of their cocoons. I always thought it took them a few minutes to get out but really it was seconds! All 10 of our butterflies hatched and a few days later we let them go. Another great science lesson on life. 8.28.09