If you do one thing this spring, purchasing one of the Butterfly Raising Kits from Education Station is it.
Available from the Larvae stage you will watch as they eat and grow rapidly into their next stage where they form into chrysalides (in a J shape). Once their metamorphosis inside their cocoon is complete they will emerge beautiful painted lady butterflies and can be released. The whole process takes approximately three to four weeks and it is an amazing learning opportunity for kids to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.
Purchase the life cycle raising kits ($29.99) that come with 8-10 larvae, group raising container, feeding vial& artificial diet, instructions and more. Or you can also choose from six different options of re-useable habitats to raise just one painted lady butterfly all the way up to a giant butterfly pavillion where you can raise 12 or more butterflies! Prices for the habitats range from $1.99-$36.99. (Larvae is not included with the habitats)
Orders for the Butterfly Raising Kits must be paid at least 10 days in advance and pickup dates are available as early as April 26th all the way to May 31st. Pick up is available at both the North or South locations or they can be shipped.
You can order Butterfly Raising Kits online, through fax (780.457.6037), phone (780.475.4680) or through email: butterfly@EducationStation.ca. To help the process a fillable PDF form is available here to use to email or print and fax or drop off.