Includes six painted lady butterfly larvae (caterpillers) in a 12oz deli cup with enough food for the larvae to transform into pupae (the chrysilis they will hatch out of into butterflies.)
 
Once the caterpillars make a chrysalis - they will need to be moved to a 12" cube (or larger) butterfly enclosure (NOT INCLUDED). We also have a butterfly kit available that includes the enclosure. 
 
The caterpillar (larval) stage usually lasts for 2-4 weeks, and the chrysalis stage (pupae) usually lasts for 1-2 weeks. Adult butterflies live for 1-3 weeks.
 
To view detailed instructions for raising butterflies please click here. 
 
The orange and black Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is one of the most common butterfly species in the world. Unlike some butterflies, it does not become dormant during the winter and cannot survive heavy frosts or colder conditions. Therefore it migrates to warmer climates in winter.