Product Description

Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close with this reusable, collapsible habitat. Fine, transparent mesh lets you see butterfly metamorphosis up close. Product includes easy-to-use feeder and complete instructions for habitat. Butterfly larvae with food shipped directly to your home. The habitat collapses for storage when not in use. You can adopt and raise a handful of caterpillars, watch them transform into painted lady butterflies, then lift the garden cover to release your beautiful specimens into the wild. This exciting habitat makes a fabulous introduction to the miracles of nature. The larvae and food available round the year.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39 in Toys & Games
• Size: Garden
• Brand: Insect Lore
• Model: 1010
• Fabric type: Waterproof PVC Fabric Shell
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 13.00" w x 13.00" l, .90 pounds

Features

• See butterfly metamorphosis up close.Reusable, collapsible habitat.
• Includes feeder.Complete instructions included.
• Includes mail-in voucher for five butterfly larvae and special food. ($3.00 fee for processing)
• Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close.
• Just mail in the included coupon for larvae and food.

Editorial Review
Did you know that painted ladies (the butterflies, that is) taste with their feet and have 10,000 eyes? You and your kids will be fascinated by all you learn about these beautiful creatures with the Butterfly Garden from Insect Lore. The kit comes with a relatively easy-to-assemble observation chamber; supplies for feeding the butterflies (you provide only sugar and water); an informative booklet of clear instructions and butterfly facts; and a certificate for three to five free painted lady caterpillars. The metamorphosis from larva to butterfly takes about three weeks from when you receive the caterpillar larvae (which arrive in a small container with all the nutrients they need). Your children can watch the larvae increase dramatically in size, form chrysalides, and finally emerge into full-fledged painted ladies (it's suggested that they release the butterflies after a few days of observation). This would make a wonderful activity for families with kids of any age, but younger children will need help assembling the observation chamber and reading the instruction booklet. (Note: The manufacturer recommends that butterflies should not be set free in temperatures lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.) --Rachel Radway

From the Manufacturer
Raise 3 to 5 Painted Lady butterflies while learning all about metamorphosis with this Oppenheim Best Toy Award-winning butterfly raising kit! See each caterpillar’s transition as it matures, changes into a chrysalid, and finally emerges as a Painted Lady butterfly! After observing your butterflies, experience the joy of releasing them into your backyard! Available only in the Continental U.S. and Alaska. Please be advised that there is an additional $3.00 required when redeeming your coupon for shipping and handling.

Customer Reviews

Very nice for older kids, may be too gross for little ones.
Obviously the caterpillars can't be packed in the box, but they shouldn't be an extra cost. There should be a paid card to send in when you're ready for them.

My main complaint is that the information is sketchy. A more informative child-friendly booklet should be included. Also the butterflies do poop red liquid which is pretty gross for very small kids. The white mesh cage looks really bad with all those bloody-looking smears on it. My 7 year old was okay with it when I explained it was "special butterfly poop" but my 5 year old, the nominal owner of the butterflies, lost interest quickly when the treehouse was no longer pretty.

an extraordinary experience
There is nothing more extraordinary than the experience of taking care of "a life" & setting it free. My 5-year-old has learned something quite valuable through this toy, which is well made. We'll be able to use it again for several more summers.

Also, of the 10 caterpillars we received, 9 became butterflies and flew away, while 2 returned to our garden and lingered for a day. We even had a smaller butterfly with a bent wing, whom we thought may not be able to fly away very well, but it flew-off just as easily as the others did...a very touching moment, which became a lesson in life my daughter may never forget.

A great way to learn!
We bought the Butterfly Garden as a gift for our four year old daughter.
The entire experience was wonderful. We followed the instruction provided and watched the magic happen. It was very exciting to look in the container every morning with her to see the progression. From caterpillar, to chrysalis, and into butterflies we were amazed at each step. I will do this again with her and we also purchased one for my niece(also 4). I felt it was a great way to teach her how things take time but they are worth waiting for. Just as a suggestion: try to keep this project for warmer weather due to not being able to release them in weather under 55 degrees. Have fun!!