Step 1: There will be a class field trip to Milne Dam Conservation Park with a mission to find a

few caterpillars on branches, leaves, flower beds, grass, middle of flower heads, and other
places in the Park. As a class, we will bring 1-3 caterpillars back to raise a butterfly in the
classroom.

Step 2: Students will learn about the characteristics and the lifecycle of a butterfly, as well as,
what they need to survive.

Step 3: Students will draw the life cycle of a butterfly through an art form of their choice
(painting, drawing, sculpting etc.).

Stage 1:
Eggs
o Adult female
butterfly lays many
eggs at once so that
a few of them live.
o Eggs can be cylinder-
shaped, round or
oval, and smooth,
bumpy, or crease
textured based on
the type of butterfly.
 Stage 2:
Caterpillar
o The Feeding
Stage.
o This stage is also
called Larva.
o The Caterpillar
stays busy
munching on the
leaves of the host
plant.
o Sheds skin 4-5
times.
 Stage 3:
Chrysalis
o The Transitional
Stage.
o Once the
caterpillar stops
eating and has
completely
grown, it forms
into a chrysalis.
o Also called Pupa.
o Based on the
type of butterfly,
this stage can
take weeks to
many months.
o Final Stage - the
Reproductive and
Adult Stage.
o The lifespan of
most adult
butterflies is 1-2
weeks, but some
species hibernate
in winter and
survive for many
months.
o Butterfly releases
hemolymph liquid
in the wings as
they dry, wings get
strong and large
ready to fly.
o Life cycle repeats.