Painted lady butterflies

[BarleySugar]

As a project for my year 7 class we bought 10 caterpillars from the Internet. We measured and weighed one pot of 5, the others were just left to'gget on with it'. They all grew very quickly, we only got a week of measuring, becasue my room (an ICT one) gets up to 27C in the day, and did not go below 20 at night. (I used my max/min thermometer to keep check).
The plan was to release the butterflies into the wild, but we already had one come out of the crysalis on Friday, so I suppose they will all be there tomorrow. I put some crushed orange, and some sugar water in for food over the weekend. There aren't a lot of flowers around, does anyone know if dandelion would be good for nectar?
As it will be far too cold to let them go, I've been potting up nettles and a mallow plant for caterpillar food. Looks like we will be raising another generation, and if we are successful, we can let the next lot go. I don't want to turn into a butterfly farmer!

[BFG]

I've seen a few butterflies about over the last week and the one that was spending the winter in the house has alighted. I'd be tempted to release them. Maybe make somewhere safe and dry under cover for them to hide if they choose.

[Two_Sheds]

Painted Lady lives in Africa, it doesn't reach Britain until summer (May onwards usually). I fear it is much too cold for them outside: they aren't native, like the butterflies that we've all seen in ones and twos so far this year.

[Nicos]

Her ya go- might be helpful?
(we have nettles around now)

How to Feed Painted Lady Butterflies | eHow.com

[Two_Sheds]

From Nicos's link: "Lay fresh slices of oranges in a shallow pan of sugar water. The bright color attracts Painted Lady butterflies"

That's how they were feeding the flutterbys in the tent at the Natural History Museum

[BarleySugar]

I forgot the orange today, which was annoying as I had bought them ready. I did put some cotton wool pads in the sugar water, so they couldn't fall in and drwon, the straw idea sounds good. It doesn't say anything about dandelions, but I might try some if I can find them locally. All 10 are out now, and the nettles only wilted a bit, hopefully they will take root and grow. The mallow looks fine. With the weather forecast going cold again soon, there's no way we'll let the little darlings out. In fact I think we are a bit glad to have a good reason to keep them for a bit longer I'll bring them home for the holidays, and hopefully have caterpillars or eggs to take back.

[Headfry]

I think the Brimstones (acid yellow-green) are the first to appear here, followed by the orange tips. Sometimes others are seen though.

[Two_Sheds]

How're the butterflies doing now?

[BarleySugar]

All 10 are thriving so far. I have seen them drinking the sugar water, sat on the orange and they spend a lot of time sitting on the nettles. The mallow is looking a bit wilted, i don't know it will take. I will be brinking them home for easter, and hope to have eggs or even caterpillars to take back after the holidats? Even if we don't get a second generation, at least these ones are not freezing outside!

[bramble]

I may be wrong but I think you could give them some honeydew melon.

[BarleySugar]

once I get them home I will experiment a bit with different fruits, the butterflies at Wisley last year had all sorts hanging up, but it's a bit of a pain getting it into school.

[BarleySugar]

My butterflies are obviously happy, I now have LOADS of eggs on the plants, so roll on a new generation!

[Nicos]

Well done!

[ukmaggie45]

My butterflies are obviously happy, I now have LOADS of eggs on the plants, so roll on a new generation!

Oh wow, how wonderful. Might have to try that next year (if we ever get organised! ) I've got a good supply of nettles at the garden!

[BarleySugar]

Loads of baby caterpillars. (Still 3 live butterflies) The mallow was the preferred plant for egg laying, but nettles seem to be acceptable for food. I've got 11 pasta jars set up as caterpliiar nurseries, 2inches wet compost, dibbed in nettle tops, caterpillars, with fleece top to keep eveyone in place. Some big brutes coming along already.
The plan is to grow them on and flog them to kids/staff at school 5 for £1; cost £10 for 5 off the internet, but this does include food; as part of our eco friendly business. The butterflies can definitely be released next time round. I've even worked out how to send mail order, on account of an old friend wanting some for grandchildren.