Nature Gift Store10 Live Caterpillars for Butterfly Habitat Kit - Refill for Painted Lady Butterfly Kit with Caterpillar Food, Instructions - Educational Science Kit

I have always had great success with my caterpillars, however this year 8/14 made it to butterflies. Several of the caterpillars did not make it to chrysalis form. They died attached to the top of the cups before they could transform.

My daughter and I does this every year. Every time we do the butterflys one is all ways to hurt to fly.

So perfect for kids to learn. And it is awesome to see the progress and evolution. I will buy it again for sure. Delivery was great.

This is my second time ordering from this company! Both times the order was shipped fast and the caterpillars were all alive. This purchase was made by a school PTO buying for the schools first grade classrooms and the kids love them. I highly recommend.

I was very worried that they would arrive late (over Easter Break) and die. They arrived in time for my littles to do observations for a whole week! They are very excited.

We've been ordering caterpillars since 2020, but usually from a different company. This year we ordered 2 cups from this seller. The caterpillars arrived ok. All seemed well until it was time to turn into the chrysalis. The caterpillars in 1 cup turned just fine, the cartepillars in the second cup clearly have had some genetic mutation going on. Two of them never turned into a chrysalis. They just hung upside down, but didn't pupate. And one of the ones that did turn into a strange looking chrysalis was born with a caterpillar head. He will likely not make it long after being released as I'm not sure it can feed. We might end up just euthanizing it just so it doesn't suffer.

Through no fault of the seller, my success in grown butterflies was disasterous. Here's why:I was gifted a Butterfly Habitat as a birthday present and ordered 10 caterpillars. After reading a review on growing and releasing butterflies from a father who released his with all his children around, all were dismayed to watch birds eat two immediately. I decided birds are too hungry in the morning and hoped their bellies were full by afternoon. I put out the terrarium Saturday afternoon with it fully open on one side hoping they'd quickly find the honeysuckle, roses, pomegranate, and rosemary flowers.All 8 decided to stay in their habitat that night but in the morning, I saw my 10 month old puppy, Jorja fascinated with something. I screamed and Jorja ceased her physical activity. My worst fears proved true and it was a butterfly that caught her attention. I grabbed the dog rake and shovel, ready to put my baby out of her misery. Yes, it was a young butterfly, able to walk swiftly, flit about, but not yet prepared to fly. As I could not see any damage to her wings or feet, I hoped for the best.Cripes, I can't take a step in the yard without scanning the ground for fear of stepping on one. Whose idea was this, anyway? My pups are carefully monitored for potty breaks and only one at a time allowed out. Yesterday, I noticed a patio chair had a puddle of water on it so I tilted it. Oh no, a drenched butterfly on the deck! I put a large plastic colander over her with a water bottle on top to hold it down and let her dry off overnight.Last night I went to wash out one of the dog's toys only to find a wing inside. Two hours later I took the habitat to the front yard to encourage (read scaring them out from the opposite side) the two remaining butterflies. Yeah! One took flight immediately and the other scampered through the flowered shrubbery.I'm done. Whose idea of fun was it to "grow your own butterflies" in the comfort of your home? Can I order someone on Amazon to comfort me?Advice: Prepare for release early (misting with bottles, putting food in with some chrysalis on bottom and others on top. Whoa, taping those who are still on chrysalis top to terrarium challenging. Scotch tape not strong enough and what if duct tape traps butterfly? Start slow and with few lest you have 1) ready to fly 2) need to feed & pump wings, 3) chrysalis on top needing food (orange slice, sugar water) 4) chrysalis on bottom that may emerge can't get chrushed with sugar water sponge or orange slice. I could write a book..

I’m so disappointed. I received 7 caterpillars. They were already about an inch long when they arrived. 1 died within a couple of days. Some of the others never went to the top of the container to latch on to begin their transformation to the chrysalis and are lying, partially formed at the bottom of the cup. 2 latched on, but only 1 completed the chrysalis formation. I’m afraid we’ll only have 1 butterfly, so I won’t be able to do the big butterfly release with my PreK students on their last day of school. Were they sick? Was the food tainted? I’ve done this for several years for my students and never had a problem before. I would appreciate a refund.