Butterfly releaseDr. Herbert N Richardson

21st Century SchoolSpring 2013

Kiosk Show by Tara van den Akker

PAINTED LADIES

Springtime. That’s when the Earth wakes up and seems to come back to life. Flowers bloom. Trees bud. The Robins are singing their songs in the trees. Butterflies start to make their appearances.Rooms 126 and 233 took care of Painted ladies through their lifecycle.

Life Cycle- EggInformation from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com

The life of a Vanessa cardui ( Painted Lady)begins when the female oviposits (lays an egg) onto the host plant. Eggs are laid, usually, singularly on the tops of the host plant leaves. Eggs are a light green color and somewhat barrel-shaped. They have horizontal lines that go from tip to bottom.

Life Cycle: Caterpillarinformation from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com

In about four days or so, a little caterpillar will hatch from this green egg. Painted Ladies are extremely tiny; in fact, they look an awful lot like little ants! It isn't long before their bristles become noticeable. That big black head has shrunken a bit now, and is more proportional to the rest of its body.

Life Cycle: Caterpillarinformation from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com

As the painted Lady eats, it grows! It gets bigger, and bushier, until finally it’s ready to make the change.

Life Cycle: Pupateinformation from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com

Soon, the larva will be ready to pupate. As do most brush-foot butterflies, the Painted Lady is one that will find a spot usually a distance away from its host plant, upon which to pupate (so as to deter predators, more than likely).

A silken button will be made and the caterpillar will suspend from its last prolegs in a 'j' position with its head hanging downward. It can take upwards of 24-hours for this final larval molt. You will probably find a little black blob either attached to the chrysalis or on the ground nearby. This is the remaining exuvia…the final 'molt' from the caterpillar stage. It will include the head capsule of the caterpillar. It is rather cool to look at under a magnifying lens!

The chrysalis or pupa (NOT a cocoon!) is a non-descript brownish or tan color with gold flecks. Close inspection and you can spot the spiracles and other features of the soon-to-be butterfly.

Life Cycle: Butterflyinformation from www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com

In about ten days' time, the pupa will begin to change color and soon, a lovely Vanessa cardui butterfly will emerge. It will take about an hour for the butterfly to fully expand its wings. The wings also will require the time to 'harden.‘

During the time the wings are drying, the proboscis (tongue tubes) will uncoil and recoil, as the imago (adult butterfly) readies itself to go out into the world to begin its 2-week or so life to procreate.

Our Release Party!

Special Thanks to: Mrs. Nordt Ms. Arlequin www.learnaboutpaintedladies.com for the great

information and the pictures of the early stages of the life cycle.

Students of 126 and 233 for their poems, interest, and careful care of our butterflies.

Mrs. van den Akker for putting together our slide show.