LEARNING ACTIVITY
Creating a butterfly garden
Category: Biodiversity
Climate Region: Temperate | Tropical
State or Territory: ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
Age Range: 7-13

Suyin was picking a lemon from her grandfather’s lemon tree when she noticed a brightly coloured caterpillar. She took it to her grandfather, who smiled when he saw it. He explained that he didn’t mind the caterpillars eating a few leaves from the tree as it meant that there would soon be butterflies visiting the flowers in the butterfly garden.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

In this activity you and your young lepidopterists (butterfly scientists) will plant a butterfly garden! This butterfly garden will be a source of nectar for the adult butterflies as well as help to provide some host plants for the caterpillars.

Outcomes

For children to:
• understand the life cycle of butterflies
• investigate the specific needs of an animal
• participate in a hands-on activity
• monitor and assess the success of the butterfly garden over time
• communicate their findings.

SEASONAL NOTES

This activity can be conducted at any time of the year so long as conditions in your area are suitable for planting.
If you live in a temperate zone, you may not be able to see any butterflies during winter as they are in diapause (a little like hibernation) or migrate away when it is colder. You will have the best success if you plan this for late winter to early spring.

Did you know?

Caterpillars need host plants specific to their species.  Host plants provide the caterpillar with necessary chemicals and nutrients.

Did you know?

The monarch butterfly is not native but not technically introduced either. They appeared in 1871 following a number of storms in the Pacific that allowed them to island hop. The colonists had established their host plant which enabled the butterflies to lay their eggs and the rest is history!

Did you know?

Butterflies are cold-blooded so they need the sunlight to warm up. They also need a sheltered spot that isn’t too windy.

Did you know?

The Orchard Swallowtail caterpillar makes itself look like bird poo to deter birds eating it.

Why not try one of our other Junior Landcare learning activities?

Love Letters to the Land

Biodiversity|First Nations Perspectives|Food Production|Waste Management

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