BUTTERFLIES are insects with a four-stage life cycle. Part of the Lepidoptera order, some butterflies like the painted lady migrate over long distances. Butterfly gardens contain plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies and a habitat that nurtures the stages of their development.
Encourage students to learn about the butterflies common to your area, then involve them in designing a butterfly garden to attract these creatures.
Read the recently published informational children’s picture book, then learn more at the websites:
THE STORY OF A BUTTERFLY by Margaret Rose Reed explores the life cycle and habitat of the Painted Lady butterfly. Two friends take a field trip to a butterfly garden along with their class and decide to make their own community garden. The storybook approach introduces young readers to the science of butterflies along with the joy of learning. The picture book concludes with additional information about the Painted Lady butterfly and a comparison of moths and butterflies. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks eXplore.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF NORTH AMERICA is a database providing information about the wide range of Lepidoptera found in North America. Readers are encouraged to participate in their online project.
To search the database, go to https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org.
To read about the Painted Lady, go to https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Vanessa-cardui.
BASICS OF BUTTERFLY GARDENING from the North American Butterfly Association provides the basics of starting a butterfly garden.
To read the article, go to https://nababutterfly.com/start-butterfly-garden/.
