We found several caterpillars in our garden one day. My son (5 years old) was fascinated and started talking to them. He knew they would turn into butterlies eventually since he is a huge fan of the tales of "The very hungry caterpillar" story.
I remembered having an old little greenhouse somewhere in the attic and we quickly built a new home.
Some soil on the ground and a few leaves as food. My son also suggested putting in a planting pot (cut in half) as a little house so the catterpillars can protect itself from light if they wish to do so.
To keep them from escaping we cut up some screen door wireframe and installed it on top. The top "door" had to be left open on one side for fresh air, the other side we kept closed and cut a big hole in the screen door wire so the butterflies we hoped to get would be allowed to be set free and fresh leaves for further feeding could be put in.
After a few days we already saw the first chrysalis and about a week later the first butterfly was inside one morning.
We let it out and fly away. My son was very excited of course and I am glad he had no trouble letting go. While he was waving after it and wishing it a wonderful life I discovered another chrysalis in which the dots on the wings could already be seen.
When I pointed out that this one will be hatching soon, it was my son who suggested to set up the time laps camera and film it.
Only 6 hours later we had a second butterfly and the video of it hatching.
Of course we released this one as well once it was settled.
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