Download Butterfly release

Spring 2013
Kiosk Show by Tara van den Akker
Springtime. That’s when the
Earth wakes up and seems
to come back to life.
Flowers bloom. Trees bud.
The Robins are singing their
songs in the trees.
Butterflies start to make
their appearances.
Rooms 126 and 233 took
care of Painted ladies
through their lifecycle.
Life Cycle- Egg
Information from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com
 The life of a Vanessa
cardui ( Painted
Lady)begins when the
female oviposits (lays an
egg) onto the host plant.
Eggs are laid, usually,
singularly on the tops of
the host plant leaves.
Eggs are a light green
color and somewhat
barrel-shaped. They
have horizontal lines that
go from tip to bottom.
Life Cycle: Caterpillar
information from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com
 In about four days or so,
a little caterpillar will
hatch from this green
egg. Painted Ladies are
extremely tiny; in fact,
they look an awful lot
like little ants! It isn't
long before their bristles
become noticeable. That
big black head has
shrunken a bit now, and
is more proportional to
the rest of its body.
Life Cycle: Caterpillar
information from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com
 As the painted Lady eats,
it grows! It gets bigger,
and bushier, until finally
it’s ready to make the
change.
Life Cycle: Pupate
information from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com
 Soon, the larva will be ready to pupate.
As do most brush-foot butterflies, the
Painted Lady is one that will find a spot
usually a distance away from its host
plant, upon which to pupate (so as to
deter predators, more than likely).
 A silken button will be made and the
caterpillar will suspend from its last
prolegs in a 'j' position with its head
hanging downward. It can take upwards
of 24-hours for this final larval molt.
You will probably find a little black blob
either attached to the chrysalis or on
the ground nearby. This is the
remaining exuvia…the final 'molt' from
the caterpillar stage. It will include the
head capsule of the caterpillar. It is
rather cool to look at under a
magnifying lens!
 The chrysalis or pupa (NOT a cocoon!)
is a non-descript brownish or tan color
with gold flecks. Close inspection and
you can spot the spiracles and other
features of the soon-to-be butterfly.
Life Cycle: Butterfly
information from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com
 In about ten days' time, the pupa
will begin to change color and
soon, a lovely Vanessa cardui
butterfly will emerge. It will take
about an hour for the butterfly to
fully expand its wings. The wings
also will require the time to
'harden.‘
 During the time the wings are
drying, the proboscis (tongue
tubes) will uncoil and recoil, as
the imago (adult butterfly)
readies itself to go out into the
world to begin its 2-week or so
life to procreate.
Our Release Party!
Special Thanks to:
 Mrs. Nordt
 Ms. Arlequin
 www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com for the great
information and the pictures of the early stages of the
life cycle.
 Students of 126 and 233 for their poems, interest, and
careful care of our butterflies.
 Mrs. van den Akker for putting together our slide show.