27 replies to this topic

[Jackie H]

Had the most wonderful day in nursery today, we are now the proud parents of triplet butterflies.
It has been four and a half weeks since our caterpillars arrived through the post, they grew and grew for two weeks and then climbed to the top of the pot and formed into cocoons, The children have watched and waited for a further two weeks until today great excitement. This has been the best £17.00 I have spent such good value for money and such a lot of learning going on not just in nursery but children from all the other year groups keep popping in to see if anything has happened. Two more to hatch hope they wait till tomorrow when we can watch again.

[Steve]

Congratulations, Jackie!

What did you feed them on? Any photo's you can post?

[Susan]

How exciting! Congratulations. Do you have to let them go now? Its a bit cold in the garden!!

[Sue J]

We have got 5 caterpillars, getting fatter and fatter. Last year the children saw 2 of them hatch, the other 3 hatched after we had all gone home.
We break up for half term on Thursay 26 May and return on Monday 6 June and we hope they will hang on that long.
I buy them from Insect Lore and have been buying them every year for years, the children are enthralled, as are the staff and parents.

Steve, there is a special food stuff provided at the bottom of the pot for the caterpillars. We fed the butterflies on sugared water and put foliage, twigs and small flowers in the butterfly house .

Sue J

[Jackie A.]

And we arrived this morning to find that six of our ducklings had hatched and the seventh one tapped his way out of his shell during the morning. We've been caring for the eggs in an incubator.
Will try and post a photo tomorrow. They are sooooo cute!

[Linda McDowell]

We have our caterpillars ordered for after half term-I am really looking forward to watching them grow!! Even more so after your posts Jackie and Sue. Can't wait!
Linda

[Mimi]

We too have caterpillars from insect lore, just to say, don't be tempted to buy the bumper pack of thirty( I get two lots of five- one set per group.) With the big set you have to put their food into small pots and transfer a single caterpillar - it takes ages, fine for older children who can do it themselves.

[Jackie H]

Sue,
how long did you observe the butterflies for last time, we are wondering if its a bit too cold to let them go yet. We did have hail for half an hour last night.
One of our children brought a butterfly bush to plant in the nursery garden today so that we can keep them for ever and ever . :D :D :D :D

[Sue J]

Jackie, we kept the butterflies in their house for about 5 days. I wanted to make sure all the children got a chance to see them before we released them.
It was after half term last year when we released them - it didn't seem too cold when we let them go - but as you say the weather is a bit colder at the moment.

Sue J

[LucyQ]

We're waiting for our butterflies to emerge - very exciting. I just hope they arrive before half term!!

[hali]

Excellent news we have some arriving after half term also...

[Peggy]

I have been inspired by all your lovely comments, my order has now been emailed.

Peggy

[Mimi]

Just a snippet of information for your FAQ list. A few years ago one of my children asked what happens inside the chrysalis. as I couldn't find out from the usual sources I phoned Insect Lore, they phoned me back within the day - they turn into a thick liquid and re-solidify, how SiFi is that.

[green]

We are waiting for our 5 to hatch too! Again praying they arrive before half term otherwise Ill cry!!! It has been so good for the children to see!