Pre-K 4 student Mackenzie Pickett said, “First there was an egg, then a caterpillar, then they turned into a pretty butterfly.”  It’s now time to release them safely into the environment.

The full life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly from egg to butterfly lasts approximately a month.  As a caterpillar, it eats constantly for 12-18 days, shedding its skin five times as it grows. The pupa, or chrysalid stage lasts about 10 days, after which the adult butterfly emerges.

Adult butterflies can live for about two to four weeks.  The Painted Lady is probably the most widespread butterfly in the world.  Savannah Sutter of Pre-K 4 said, “It was fun to watch them come out of their cocoon.”

According to Pre-K Teacher Debbie Gleeson, “Each day, the children would come in the classroom anxious to see our caterpillars and what stage they were at in their transformation.”

Pre-K 4 student Nicholas Arici liked caring for the butterflies.  “The best part was feeding them oranges!”
OLMC School provides education for children pk3 to 8th grade with full-day pre-kindergarten 4 and kindergarten and after-school care until 6 p.m. The school is located at 205 Oak St., Boonton.

Photos courtesy of Diane Striegel

With butterfly habitats are PreK 3 children, Suzanna Ludwig, Renato Febbi and PreK 4 students Mackenzie Pickett and Nicholas Arici.

Pictured with a butterfly habitat, and the container that the caterpillars arrived in, are Pre-K 4 students, Mackenzie Pickett, Savannah Sutter, Matthew Morfogen and Andrea Ludvik, Principal Gladys Driscoll, Alexa Krasnomowitz and Jack Buzby.

A butterfly is released.