How to Take Care of Your Painted Lady Butterflies Indoors

Now that your Painted Lady caterpillars have grown into adult butterflies, it's time to learn how to take care of them!  Read on to discover how to make the most of your Insect Lore project! 

What You Need to Take Care of Painted Lady Butterflies Indoors

Make sure you have the following when you are ready to GROW!

• 5 baby caterpillars and all the food they need to grow into beautiful Painted Lady butterflies
• Pop-up, reusable 12-inch-tall mesh habitat
• Chrys-A-Lid™ Holding Log
• Flower-shaped Butterfly Feeder
• Sugar Packets to make butterfly nectar
• Feeding Dropper
• STEM Butterfly Journal with fun science, math and writing activities
• Caterpillar Instruction Guide

What Makes a Good Indoor Habitat for Painted Lady Butterflies? 

Our Butterfly Garden habitats are the perfect temporary home for your young butterflies. The mesh habitat collapses for easy storage and is fully rewashable and reusable. It is easier than ever to watch the emergence and development of your Painted Lady Butterflies. After several days of observing them, simply open up the top zipper to let your friends fly free! 

Best Indoor Temperatures for Painted Lady Butterflies

For best results, keep a room temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit for your growing insects. If the indoor temperatures are excessively hot or extremely cold, your butterflies will become lethargic and it will impede their development. 

Is it Safe to Put Leaves, Sticks, or Dirt Inside a Painted Lady Butterfly Habitat?

Do not put any dirt inside your Painted Lady Butterfly Habitat, as your butterflies will appreciate a cleaner environment when they first emerge from the chrysalis. Similarly, sticks may get in the way when your butterflies are stretching their wings for the first time. You may place some leaves on the floor of the habitat if you wish, however! 

What is the Best Way to Transfer Chrysalides to the New Habitat?

Once your little caterpillars have formed their glittering chrysalides, wait three days for them to fully harden before transferring them. Gently remove the lid with the hanging chrysalides from the Cup of Caterpillars™. Use a q-tip to gently remove any silk "webbing" or frass (small balls of caterpillar waste) that may be attached to the chrysalides. Carefully insert the lid sideways into the slot in the Chrysalis Holding Log. Then, place the Chrysalis Holding Log in the butterfly habitat.

If one of the chrysalides has fallen, there's no need to worry! Simply scoop if up with a plastic spoon, remove any webbing from the surface and place it on a folded paper towel on the floor of the Butterfly Habitat. Your butterfly should emerge safely there! 

How Long Do Painted Lady Butterflies Take to Hatch?

After 7- 10 days, your Painted Lady butterflies will emerge from the chrysalides. At first the butterflies’ wings will be soft and crumpled. The butterflies will slowly stretch and strengthen their wings. They may also exude a few small red drops of meconium after they emerge. This is normal – meconium is the leftover material the butterfly does not need to complete metamorphosis.

How to Care For Newly Hatched Painted Lady Butterflies

Please do not disturb the habitat while your butterflies are emerging and do not touch the newly emerged butterflies. Wait 2 or 3 hours (to allow your butterflies’ wings to dry and harden) before feeding. 

Feed your butterflies with nectar or fruit – then set them free! Here’s what to do:  Thoroughly mix 2 teaspoons of sugar with 1/4 cup of water. Drip a few drops of nectar on your butterfly feeder (or on a cotton ball), and place in the habitat. (If you are dripping nectar on a cotton ball, place it on a small paper plate and then place the plate in the habitat). You can also provide your butterflies with small slices of fresh fruit like watermelon or oranges.  Give your butterflies fresh nectar or fruit every day. Do not leave containers of water or nectar in the habitat as your butterflies may fall in and drown. Feed, observe, and enjoy your butterflies for a few days – then release them into nature!

When Should I Release My Painted Lady Butterflies?

Insect Lore recommends releasing your butterflies after 2-3 days of observation and study. We know it can be tough to say goodbye, but your butterfly friends are eager to explore the world, and create some more butterflies along the way! 

How to Release Painted Lady Butterflies?

Insect Lore recommends releasing your butterflies when the weather is sunny and clear and outdoor temperatures are between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. if the weather is too cloudy or cold, your butterflies may be too chilly to take flight, so make sure to pick the right day so they have a moment to sit in the sun! Watch in wonder as your beautiful butterflies take flight and use their colorful wings for the first time. If you have a garden nearby, they might make a stop to visit some of your flowers! 

Discover the Curious Life Cycle of Painted Lady Butterflies with Insect Lore

You have successfully released your butterfly friends to explore and pollinate the world - but the adventure isn't over! Insect Lore's Butterfly Garden projects can be enjoyed again and again! View more of our Live Butterfly Kits here!