  
In a grade 3/4 classroom many years ago, we raised Painted Lady butterflies. The Painted Lady's scientific name is Vanessa cardui. The butterfly kit was ordered by our teacher Angela Golinowski; it arrived in the mail with larvae (caterpillars), some small containers to keep them in, and some food. Our first job was to put food in the containers to get them ready for the caterpillars. Then we moved the larvae into their new homes. They stayed there for about a week, eating.  Soon the caterpillars began spinning threads, each to form its own pupa, called a chrysalis. Each larva grabbed hold of the top of its container and wrapped the silk around itself to form a hard shell. They stayed inside that for about a week, turning into butterflies.We moved the container lids into the butterfly box, and taped them to its ceiling, and we waited. 
Here is our butterly box. As you can see, fancy equipment isn't necessary. The result was a box full of butterflies. Most of the butterflies emerged, slowly fanning their wings to dry them.
Painted Ladies have large, clearly defined body parts, so you can see what they look like very easily. The eyes are particularly striking. For a while, the butterflies were content to sit in the box as their wings dried. They normally rest with their wings up, unlike a moth, which rests with its wings open.
 
The butterflies were set free behind the school. They left their boxes immediately, fluttering off into the distance. Some couldn't fly very well at first, but we're sure they will learn with practice. Hopefully they laid eggs and started their life cycle all over again, on their own this time.   
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