Find a Caterpillar: Look for caterpillars on host plants in your garden, local park, or nearby fields.
Set Up the Habitat: Place the caterpillar in the container along with fresh leaves from the host plant.
Feeding and Care: Provide fresh leaves daily as caterpillars eat a lot to fuel their transformation.
Caterpillar Growth: Observe the caterpillar as it grows and sheds its skin several times, a process called molting.
Forming the Chrysalis: The caterpillar will attach itself to a surface using silk and form a "J" shape.
Metamorphosis: Over the next 1-2 weeks (depending on the species), the caterpillar’s body will reorganize and develop into a butterfly.
Emergence: When the transformation is complete, the butterfly will emerge from the chrysalis.
Release: After a few hours, once the wings are fully dry and the butterfly is ready to fly, you can release it into the wild.