Summer butterfly, moth, or FROG?! kits?

[elanorh]

Hi all,

Just looking for advice and tips - we would like to do a butterfly kit with the girls this summer (3 and 6) -- I went looking online and it looks like a dizzying assortment of sources etc.

We want to make sure that whatever we get, is indigenous to our area and that we're not introducing a crop pest or something that will compete with native species (or be released and lack any food). I noticed one place had a moth which eats tomato leaves as a larvae, for instance. Since I grow our tomatoes -- I don't really want to introduce that here! Yikes ....

I noticed there were even frog kits (tadpole to frog) - which seem soooo cool, but again, wouldn't want to keep it as a house pet, would want to release it -- I think anyway, I suppose the girls could change my mind if they fell in love with the frog?

Just looking for suggestions and experiences from others on this topic.

[moss]

we've raised butterflies from caterpillars, but didnt use a kit. we just keep our eyes open for caterpillars when we're gardening, make a note of which plant we find them on (their food!) and carry on from there. I think we found instructions on caring for a caterpillar from a nature book originally but there are some great instructions online. Our first caterpillar grew into a beauuuutiful swallowtail! it was amazing.

i've been thinking about raising tadpoles this year, and we'll probably do the same type of thing. i know of a pond that has lots of frogs in it, so we'll go there and catch some young tadpoles, and raise them in a little pool in the backyard. in our area bullfrogs are invasive, so if we end up growing one of them, it might end up on the dissection tray (ds really wants to dissect a frog)

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by moss

i've been thinking about raising tadpoles this year, and we'll probably do the same type of thing. i know of a pond that has lots of frogs in it, so we'll go there and catch some young tadpoles, and raise them in a little pool in the backyard. in our area bullfrogs are invasive, so if we end up growing one of them, it might end up on the dissection tray (ds really wants to dissect a frog)

What a neat idea! We're on the lookout for a new project- last year we caught a giant water bug- and that's going to be pretty hard to top!

OP- they sell hybrid translucent frog kits that look really neat.

[Callimom]

We've just always done frogs from local tadpoles and gotten caterpillars locally (ask at your nature centre) or you can order indigenous caterpillars from various suppliers. Painted Lady caterpillars are found across North America and are easily purchased from a supplier.
hth
Karen

[babycarrier]

I just ordered with InsectLore