Yesterday I worked in my classroom for a while. The evil tent caterpillars that the seventh grade girls brought into my room have been in a homemade habitat. The girls (and sometimes the boys) went out each morning and pulled leaves off some trees to put in the container. I don’t know if they were the right kind of leaves or not. I kept suggesting the ornamental pear tree leaves, because I figured fruit trees would be just the thing.
I guess the caterpillars got enough food, because they all wrapped themselves in cocoons. I still am hoping that they don’t survive. I don’t want to contribute to the propagation of these horrible monsters. But I am glad the kids are into it. Yay science!
It’s an empty party-tray container.
Found a little something to share with your students:
http://insected.arizona.edu/bflyrear.htm
These folks might know a bit more about the care and raising of the dreaded tent caterpillar than you or I.
Best of luck with the party tray habitat (very creative – but if it is sealed well enough for none to escape, will that be a problem in the long run regarding gas exchange?) BTW, does this make you a godfather then, or…?
Way to recycle! And God Bless America!
Every time one of my kids has brought in one of those, they never survived to the butterfly/moth stage, so there’s hope.
One of my boys brought in a large butterfly in a big jar that had been in there since caterpillarhood. His mom said we could release it whenever, so we did immediately. It never was able to fly. 🙁 (Your situation is different. Feel free to flush those guys immediately.)
Love Their House…..Totally Clear & Visible!! 🙂