Butterfly Caterpillars, Eggs, and Chrysalises

It's a jaw-dropping unbelievable amazing experience ... the first time we watch a caterpillar change into a chrysalis. How can a 'worm' change into a lump without legs or a head?

Raising butterflies brings this experience into our lives and into our homes and classrooms.

Rearing Eggs: Buy butterfly or moth eggs HERE.
caterpillars hatch from 3 - 7 days after the adult butterfly lays the eggs. They hatch or emerge from their eggs with one thought on their mind; EAT!!! And they do eat. The first week isn't too bad but after that ... they're as bad as a hungry teenager. If you order eggs to raise into adult butterflies, you MUST have the appropriate host plant to feed your caterpillars. If you do not have the appropriate host plant, they will die. Butterfly caterpillars are extremely particular about which plants they eat. Read on for more about their diet.

Caterpillars (larvae): Buy butterfly or moth caterpillars HERE.
The second stage of a butterfly or moth's life cycle is the larval (caterpillar) stage. This is the 'eat, eat, eat, eat, eat' stage. Hatchling caterpillars are so small that they will crawl through screen. Use a secure container but DO provide ventilation. Without ventilation your caterpillars can easily die. After they are a week old, most species are too large to crawl through screen. Sheer curtain material is an excellent choice for a 'screen' for your rearing container. Keep your rearing container clean!


'Deadly Important' About Host Plants:
You can purchase host plants HERE.

caterpillars are extremely particular about what they eat. If you are not sure which plants your chosen species can eat, please email us at edith@buyabutterfly.com. When you choose your plants, please be aware that any insecticide can kill your caterpillars. Your nursery may not be aware that the plants were sprayed by the company who raised the plants or that overspray can be on the plants. Another factor to consider is that insecticide can stay in the plants system for eight weeks or more. BT is approved for use on plants certified 'Organic'. BT is a lepidopterian disease; buying organic plants can be deadly for your caterpillars. BT is used on certified organic parsely, fennel, dill, carrots, and other herbs and vegetables. Please obtain your plants before you order your butterfly eggs or caterpillars. It can be impossible to find plants at the last minute. If you do not have the appropriate host plants, your caterpillars will die.

Chrysalises - Cocooons: Chrysalises, pupae, and cocoons do not need food. Butterflies and moths go through four stages of life; egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult. A butterfly pupa is called a chrysalis. A moth pupa is called a pupa and, in some species (but not all), the pupa is inside a cocoon. A cocoon is a little nest the caterpillar made of silk and leaves or other items. Inside the cocoon the moth caterpillar will pupate into a pupa. Some moths do not make cocoons but pupate under the ground or in a fold of a leaf.

Air conditioning and heating can dehydrate your chrysalises. Spritz them with water or dunk them under the faucet a couple of times a day. This prevents dehydration. Don't worry about water hurting them - remember that they live through rainstorms which last for days!
Buy butterfly or moth pupa HERE.

Not all species of butterfly eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises are available at all times. If the species you choose is not available when you place your order, we will contact you with a choice of changing species or cancelling your order.

The USDA governs transportation of butterflies across state lines.
Below is a list of species which are allowed to be shipped into your state.

GF Gulf Fritillary; M Monarch; ZL Zebra Longwing; GS Giant Swallowtail;
BS Black Swallowtail; RA Red Admiral; PL Painted Lady; AL American Lady

Alabama GF, M, ZL, GS, BS, RA, PL, AL
Alaska RA, PL AL
Arizona GF GS RA PL AL
Arkansas GF M GS RA PL AL
California GF M RA PL AL
Colorado Mm BS RA PL AL
Connecticut M BS RA PL AL
Delaware M BS RA PL AL
Florida Shady Oak is located in Florida. Any Florida species can be shipped.
Georgia GF M ZL GS BS RA PL AL
Hawaii none
Idaho M RA PL AL
Illinois GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Indiana GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Iowa GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Kansas GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Kentucky GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Louisiana GF M BS RA PL AL
Maine M BS RA PL AL
Maryland M BS RA PL AL
Massachusetts M BS RA PL AL
Michigan M BS RA PL AL
Minnesota M BS RA PL AL
Mississippi GF M GS A PL AL
Missouri GF M GS RA PL AL
Montana RA PL AL
Nebraska GF M BS RA PL AL
Nevada RA PL AL
New Hampshire M BS RA PL AL
New Jersey M GS BS RA PL AL
New Mexico GF M GS BS RA PL AL
New York M BS RA PL AL
North Carolina GF M GS BS RA PL AL
North Dakota M RA PL AL
Ohio GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Oklahoma GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Oregon m RA PL AL
Pennsylvania GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Puerto Rico None
Rhode Island M BS RA PL AL
South Carolina GF M ZL GS BS RA PL AL
South Dakota M BS RA PL AL
Tennessee GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Texas GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Utah m RA PL AL
Vermont M BS RA PL AL
Virginia GF M GS BS RA PL AL
Washington m GS BS RA PL AL
West Virginia M GS BS RA PL AL
Wisconson M BS RA PL AL
Wyoming M RA PL AL
Washington DC GF M RA PL AL
Virgin Islands None
Guam None


** States west of the Continental Divide will receive Monarch larvae dropshipped from a butterfly farm on the western side of the Continental Divide. The USDA does not allow shipment of Monarchs across the divide.

(Painted Lady chrysalises are available with your shipment for $4 each and Monarchs are $6 each.
All other species are $5 each. Quantitiy may be limited.)