Rearing Monarchs
Source Institution
- Monarch Watch
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Description
As a long-term project, you can rear monarch butterflies at home or in a classroom. This article contains practical tips on successfully rearing monarchs, and ways in which you can increase your chances of observing the changes that occur during their metamorphosis. Caretaking details are provided for every stage of the monarch butterfly's life: egg, larva, pupa, adult. This article contains information about many species of milkweed plants - the main food and habitat for monarchs. Also includes information and instructions for building cages for monarch butterflies.
Quick Guide
- Preparation Time: 10 to 30 minutes
- Learning Time: 1 to 12 months
- Estimated materials cost: $5 - $10 per group of students
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Age Range: Ages 6 - adult
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Resource Type: Activity
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Language: English
Materials List (per group of students)
- monarch eggs
- milkweed
- sticks
- sanitized glass jar
- string
- cage - several ideas for construction are included
Subjects
Informal Category
- Animals
Subjects
- Life Sciences
- Cells
- Cell Division
- Diversity of Life
- Animals
- Cells
Audience
To use this activity learners need to
- see
- read
Learning styles supported
- Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Comments
Each September my students also raise and release Monarch Butterflies. The University of Minnesota Monarch Lab is another great teacher friendly resource. Director Karen Oberhauser also sponsors an Insect Fair every December. www.monarchlab.org
Among many butterfly books available, Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert could make a great literature connection for this activity.