Lifecycles of Butterflies
Lesson 12
The Butterflies Go Free
In this lesson students should make the connection of the importance of the natural environment to the survival of the butterfly.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Know that plants and animals need a place to live -observe and show how organisms live in specific places and describe how animals depend on plants or animals for food, ( Systems -1.3.10)
Butterflies live in a natural environment.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
Select a time and date for the release of butterflies. You may want to invite guests for the grand release ceremony. Adult helpers can be useful.
Procedure:
Have a discussion with the students about whether it is best for the butterflies to be released or kept captive. Discuss the possible impact upon the environment of releasing them. If releasing them, take the butterfly cages out to a pre-selected spot on the playground and open the cages. Children should remain seated around the flight cages so they don't inadvertently trample any butterflies.
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If the decision is made to keep the butterflies, plans should be made for gathering mallow or other caterpillar food sources. The adult butterflies will lay eggs on the paper towel in the bottom of the flight cage, but prefer to lay their eggs on the leaves of the caterpillar's future food.
If you decide to try and raise a second generation, be aware that as the new caterpillars hatch, they are about the size of a gnat. They can easily escape from netted cages and cracks in the box cages. Tape around the edges of the cages to keep them in, or insert paper around the inside edges and tape it down. They will also drown themselves in droves in the sugar water if it is left in the cage. They will also need a food source such as fresh mallow leaves.
Background Information: In this lesson the class will release the butterflies into the natural environment. Consider temperature and time of year in planning a release. Time of year may impact this decision, as a winter release will kill the butterflies. The adults only live about two weeks, so after five to seven days of observation, preparations should be made. Also consider the sensibilities of your students should you decide not to release. Students will need to deal with the inevitable death of their butterflies.
The NSRC advises against release of any organisms from STC units due to possible environmental impacts, and some state or local laws prohibit the introduction of non-indigenous species. The painted lady probably would not impact the environment as it is common throughout the US however you need to consider whether to release them or not. Therefore lesson 12 may have to be modified to keep the butterflies in flight cages and raise a second generation rather than release.
Visit http://users.sitestar.net/butterfly/release.htm for thoughts on butterfly releases.
Writing Support:
If butterflies are to be released, students can write invitations to the release to be given to the principal, other classes or parents.
Reading Support:
No reading support for this lesson.