Difference between revisions of "Catch Butterflies"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Catching a Butterfly With a Net === | === Catching a Butterfly With a Net === | ||
| − | #Buy a good net. Kids' nets are not actually good for catching butterflies. They are too short and can hurt the butterfly. A longer net is better, because you catch the butterfly in the netting, not on the hoop.< | + | #Buy a good net. Kids' nets are not actually good for catching butterflies. They are too short and can hurt the butterfly. A longer net is better, because you catch the butterfly in the netting, not on the hoop.<ref name="rf1">http://monarchlab.org/biology-and-research/monarch-rearing/catching-butterflies/</ref> |
#* Your net should be at least 2 feet deep. | #* Your net should be at least 2 feet deep. | ||
| − | #* However, keep in mind, in some areas, you will need a permit to carry a butterfly net. Check with your local laws to see if it applies to you.<ref | + | #* However, keep in mind, in some areas, you will need a permit to carry a butterfly net. Check with your local laws to see if it applies to you.<ref>http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mbs/home/?cid=fsbdev7_001600&width=full</ref> |
#* Your hoop should be wide enough to make it easy for butterflies to fit through, though you don't want it so large that you can't handle it easily. Also, you should be able to see through the netting. The netting should be coarse, so you can move it through the air without much wind resistance.<ref name="rf2">http://bohart.ucdavis.edu/html/how_collect.html</ref> | #* Your hoop should be wide enough to make it easy for butterflies to fit through, though you don't want it so large that you can't handle it easily. Also, you should be able to see through the netting. The netting should be coarse, so you can move it through the air without much wind resistance.<ref name="rf2">http://bohart.ucdavis.edu/html/how_collect.html</ref> | ||
#* The handle should be sturdy enough that it doesn't break when you flip the net around. | #* The handle should be sturdy enough that it doesn't break when you flip the net around. | ||
#Find a good place to look for butterflies. Woods are often good places to find butterflies, but your backyard can be just as good. If you plan to catch butterflies, you might consider planting flowers that local butterflies are attracted to. For instance, marigolds, milkweed, buckwheat, zinnia, and heliotrope are flowers that many butterflies are attracted to.<ref name="rf3">http://www.monarchprogram.org/butterfly-gardening-and-rearing/</ref> | #Find a good place to look for butterflies. Woods are often good places to find butterflies, but your backyard can be just as good. If you plan to catch butterflies, you might consider planting flowers that local butterflies are attracted to. For instance, marigolds, milkweed, buckwheat, zinnia, and heliotrope are flowers that many butterflies are attracted to.<ref name="rf3">http://www.monarchprogram.org/butterfly-gardening-and-rearing/</ref> | ||
| − | #Look for butterflies that aren't in motion. You may have a vision of swooping your net through the air to catch a butterfly in flight. However, the reality is it's much easier to catch one that's stationary. Look for butterflies sitting on flowers, drinking nectar, or roosting.<ref name=" | + | #Look for butterflies that aren't in motion. You may have a vision of swooping your net through the air to catch a butterfly in flight. However, the reality is it's much easier to catch one that's stationary. Look for butterflies sitting on flowers, drinking nectar, or roosting.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* In tropical climates, you'll usually find butterflies roosting underneath leaves or branches, and you'll find them there in temperate climates, too, when it's raining or cloudy. | #* In tropical climates, you'll usually find butterflies roosting underneath leaves or branches, and you'll find them there in temperate climates, too, when it's raining or cloudy. | ||
#* Otherwise, you'll often find them roosting on the tops of grass or leaves in temperate climates. | #* Otherwise, you'll often find them roosting on the tops of grass or leaves in temperate climates. | ||
#* Remember that some butterflies will be camouflaged very well to blend in with their surroundings, so you'll need to look closely.<ref name="rf5">http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Survival%20Strategies%206.htm</ref> | #* Remember that some butterflies will be camouflaged very well to blend in with their surroundings, so you'll need to look closely.<ref name="rf5">http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Survival%20Strategies%206.htm</ref> | ||
| − | #Sneak up on it. If you can, move in from the back of the butterfly, trying to quietly and slowly move in. Once you are in range, flip the net over the butterfly. Do it in one quick motion, so the butterfly doesn't move away before you've caught it.<ref name=" | + | #Sneak up on it. If you can, move in from the back of the butterfly, trying to quietly and slowly move in. Once you are in range, flip the net over the butterfly. Do it in one quick motion, so the butterfly doesn't move away before you've caught it.<ref name="rf12" /> |
| − | #Catch one in flight. You can catch one in flight; it's just much harder to do. The best way to do it is to first sneak up on the butterfly from behind. Next, do a quick scoop to surround the butterfly with the net. Flick the net so it can't escape.<ref | + | #Catch one in flight. You can catch one in flight; it's just much harder to do. The best way to do it is to first sneak up on the butterfly from behind. Next, do a quick scoop to surround the butterfly with the net. Flick the net so it can't escape.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Fold the net over. Once you've caught a butterfly, fold the netting over the hoop. That way, the butterfly can't escape through the hoop. This is one reason why you want your netting so long. You can pull it over the hoop and not hurt the butterfly.<ref name=" | + | #Fold the net over. Once you've caught a butterfly, fold the netting over the hoop. That way, the butterfly can't escape through the hoop. This is one reason why you want your netting so long. You can pull it over the hoop and not hurt the butterfly.<ref name="rf1" /> |
=== Dealing With the Butterfly === | === Dealing With the Butterfly === | ||
#Grasp the butterfly. If you need to do so, you can handle the butterfly. Simply grab it lightly just above the body with the wings folded together. Unless the butterfly is very delicate, it won't be harmed by this operation. Monarchs, for instance, are sturdy. You can also turn it over to make it calm down.<ref name="rf6">http://www.care2.com/greenliving/first-aid-for-butterflies.html</ref> | #Grasp the butterfly. If you need to do so, you can handle the butterfly. Simply grab it lightly just above the body with the wings folded together. Unless the butterfly is very delicate, it won't be harmed by this operation. Monarchs, for instance, are sturdy. You can also turn it over to make it calm down.<ref name="rf6">http://www.care2.com/greenliving/first-aid-for-butterflies.html</ref> | ||
| − | #Put them away for later. You can store a butterfly in a glassine envelope, which is a stamp or coin envelope. These envelopes are semi-clear, made of a waxy paper. You can also simply use a small triangular envelope.<ref | + | #Put them away for later. You can store a butterfly in a glassine envelope, which is a stamp or coin envelope. These envelopes are semi-clear, made of a waxy paper. You can also simply use a small triangular envelope.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Make sure to mark any information you need on the outside of the envelope in permanent ink. | #* Make sure to mark any information you need on the outside of the envelope in permanent ink. | ||
#* You may want to use a specimen number or note the date, time, and area you found the specimen. You may also want to note if the specimen was with a partner.<ref name="rf7">http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/biodiversity-resources/dragonflies/collecting-preserving-specim</ref> | #* You may want to use a specimen number or note the date, time, and area you found the specimen. You may also want to note if the specimen was with a partner.<ref name="rf7">http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/biodiversity-resources/dragonflies/collecting-preserving-specim</ref> | ||
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#* You can use a smaller enclosure, as long as you provide proper ventilation at the top. | #* You can use a smaller enclosure, as long as you provide proper ventilation at the top. | ||
#* You can also place tissue paper or blank newspaper at the bottom to collect droppings. | #* You can also place tissue paper or blank newspaper at the bottom to collect droppings. | ||
| − | #Replenish the food as needed. If you're putting leaves in the bottom of the bucket, you'll need to replenish them regularly. You can also put small branches in a glass of fresh water, which don't need to be replenished as often, as they'll stay good for longer.< | + | #Replenish the food as needed. If you're putting leaves in the bottom of the bucket, you'll need to replenish them regularly. You can also put small branches in a glass of fresh water, which don't need to be replenished as often, as they'll stay good for longer.<ref name="rf9" /> |
| − | #* If you do put branches in water, try to block most of the top of the glass or jar, so the caterpillars don't fall in and drown.< | + | #* If you do put branches in water, try to block most of the top of the glass or jar, so the caterpillars don't fall in and drown.<ref name="rf12" /> |
#* Consider rinsing leaves in water and leaving them wet. Doing so can provide the caterpillars with the moisture they need. | #* Consider rinsing leaves in water and leaving them wet. Doing so can provide the caterpillars with the moisture they need. | ||
#Clean out the cage. You will need to clean out the cage regularly. You can clean out the cage once a day. Remove the paper you used and replace it. Also, take out any dead or dry leaves, as caterpillars won't eat anything but fresh leaves.<ref name="rf9" /> | #Clean out the cage. You will need to clean out the cage regularly. You can clean out the cage once a day. Remove the paper you used and replace it. Also, take out any dead or dry leaves, as caterpillars won't eat anything but fresh leaves.<ref name="rf9" /> | ||
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#* Your caterpillar will likely remain in this stage throughout the winter if it went into the pupation stage in the fall. It's not dead, just turning into a butterfly. | #* Your caterpillar will likely remain in this stage throughout the winter if it went into the pupation stage in the fall. It's not dead, just turning into a butterfly. | ||
#* Make sure the pupa is high enough. It should stay hung up (for most butterflies), giving the butterfly space to emerge. Hang up the leaf or stick if is too low to the bottom of the cage. | #* Make sure the pupa is high enough. It should stay hung up (for most butterflies), giving the butterfly space to emerge. Hang up the leaf or stick if is too low to the bottom of the cage. | ||
| − | #* You can also glue a cocoon up. Add a dab of low-temp hot glue to a piece of paper. Let it cool, but make sure to move while it is still liquid. Place the tip of the cocoon in the glue. Hold it there until it dries. Tape or pin the paper up so the butterfly has space to emerge.< | + | #* You can also glue a cocoon up. Add a dab of low-temp hot glue to a piece of paper. Let it cool, but make sure to move while it is still liquid. Place the tip of the cocoon in the glue. Hold it there until it dries. Tape or pin the paper up so the butterfly has space to emerge.<ref name="rf14" /> |
#Keep an eye out. Watch the chrysalis. When it changes color, to dark or translucent, the butterfly will emerge soon. Make sure to mist the cage. The butterfly will emerge in under a few seconds once it's ready, so you need to be prepared if you want to see it.<ref name="rf14" /> | #Keep an eye out. Watch the chrysalis. When it changes color, to dark or translucent, the butterfly will emerge soon. Make sure to mist the cage. The butterfly will emerge in under a few seconds once it's ready, so you need to be prepared if you want to see it.<ref name="rf14" /> | ||
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