Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Provide a Suitable Habitat
• Part 2 of 3: Feed the caterpillar
• Part 3 of 3: Let go of the caterpillar
• Warnings

The appearance of the hairy caterpillars of the bear butterfly (or Pyrrharctia isabella) is a well-known sign of the arrival of spring in North America. These adorable furry caterpillars can be grown at home as an educational project for children or for their own aesthetic pleasure. You will have to provide the caterpillar with a good home, feed it, and then release it when the caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Provide a Suitable Habitat

1. 1 Take a suitable container. The hairy caterpillar can be safely housed in a clear plastic or glass jar. The jar should be with a lid so that the caterpillar does not run away. You can also use a cardboard box instead of a can.
   • Punch a few small holes in the lid, or use a pre-drilled lid. The holes are required to allow air to enter the can.
2. 2 Place the twig in the jar. The caterpillar will need a branch to build its cocoon. Insert a small branch into the jar with the caterpillar. The branch should lie diagonally so that the caterpillar can climb on it when it wants to cocoon.
3. 3 Clean the jar regularly. The caterpillar will leave droppings in the jar every day. It must be cleaned regularly. Remove the caterpillar from the jar and use a napkin to remove the droppings.
4. 4 Keep the jar outside. The hairy caterpillar needs a cool environment to grow. Store the jar in a safe place outside your home. A safe place for caterpillars can be a garage or shed near the house.

Part 2 of 3: Feed the caterpillar

1. 1 Place the plant on which you found the caterpillar in the jar. Caterpillars prefer plants they are familiar with. Pick a few leaves and plants from where you found the caterpillar. Put them in a jar.
   • For example, if you find a caterpillar on a tree in the garden, pick a couple of leaves from that tree.
2. 2 Feed the caterpillar leaves. For caterpillars, it is very useful to eat leaves. If you find several leaves on the ground, take them and bring them into the house. Scatter them along the bottom of the can or caterpillar box. For this, both green and already dried leaves are suitable. The caterpillar needs to be fed with leaves every day.
3. 3 Put flowers and grass. Caterpillars also eat flowers and grass, so pick them from outside the house. For good growth, the caterpillar will benefit from plants such as dandelions, grass, plantains and burdock. Provide fresh flowers to the caterpillar every day.
4. 4 Spray the jar with water regularly. Hairy caterpillars do not need a container of water, especially since they can drown in it. However, the jar with the caterpillar must be regularly sprayed with water. Spray the bottom of the can with a spray bottle every day. Thanks to tiny drops of water, the caterpillar will not suffer from dehydration.

Part 3 of 3: Let go of the caterpillar

1. 1 In winter, place fallen leaves in the jar. When winter comes, add fallen leaves to the caterpillar jar. They serve as warm shelters during the cold winter months. The caterpillar will eventually build a cocoon, but this will only happen in the spring. It is very important that the caterpillar does not freeze in winter.
2. 2 Bring the caterpillar jar or box into the house when it builds the cocoon. In the spring, the caterpillar will stop moving and remain on the branch. After a while, she will build a cocoon. When this happens, the can with the caterpillar can be brought into the house. This will allow you to better see the butterfly inside.
3. 3 Feed the butterfly when it is born. Before the butterfly emerges from its cocoon, place a few more twigs and fresh leaves in the jar. Since the butterfly will remain in the jar for a few more days, it will need these food sources.
4. 4 Release the butterfly after two days. Observe the butterfly for a couple of days after it emerges from its cocoon. Take a closer look at her and observe how she eats leaves and grass. If you have children, this will be a great learning experience for them. However, after a few days, the butterfly will have to be released in the same place where you found it. For a butterfly, unlike a caterpillar, life in a box will not be as comfortable.

Warnings

• Do not touch the newly emerged butterfly to avoid damaging its wings. If this happens, the butterfly will die or will no longer be able to fly.