Native Butterflies: Care & Information

Native butterflies that feed on Nettles

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    Aglais io

    Peacock Butterfly

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  • Live Aglais urticae eggs, caterpillars and pupae for sale online UK

    Aglais urticae

    Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

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    Polygonia c-album

    Comma Butterfly

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    Vanessa atalanta

    Red Admiral

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    Vanessa cardui

    Painted Lady
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Background

It is now very well established in the scientific community that butterfly numbers are dropping globally. In the UK alone, 80% of our species have suffered some decline in the last half-century, many of these by huge proportions. Indeed, many customers and colleagues report notable drops in butterfly populations in their areas.

Perhaps because of this, native butterflies and moths are increasingly popular among our customers - from parents and schools to community groups and colleges, there is a growing interest in rearing native butterflies to support our natural environments.

The five native butterflies considered by this article are Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas, Red Admirals, and Painted Ladies. They all use Nettles (Urtica dioica) as their host plant, and are very easy to rear in captive settings, suitable for any experience level. Following the guide below will ensure the best results.

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Aglais urticae caterpillars

These young caterpillars will feed gregariously among a silk web until they gain size and begin feeding independently.

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Eggs

Depending on when your order is placed, you may receive eggs or larvae (caterpillars). Eggs start off a blue-green colour, and may be singular or in groups depending on which species has laid them. Eggs turn black when the young caterpillar has developed and is ready to hatch.

On arrival, move the contents into a plastic container, e.g. 'takeaway tub' or tupperware, which should be kept with the lid closed to prevent moisture escape, which can dessicate the eggs and young caterpillars. Open the container once or twice a day to allow fresh air in and prevent mould. It is a good idea to line the base of the container with tissue paper to absorb excess moisture, as young larvae can drown in large water droplets, and a damp environment can cause mould to grow and kill the eggs/caterpillars. This also helps to maintain a stable humidity level.

Within a few days, often sooner, the eggs begin to darken, eventually turning black when the caterpillar inside is fully formed. Provide fresh nettle leaves when this happens. Caterpillars will begin feeding very quickly and you will notice bite marks or small holes in the leaves within a day or two.

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Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars

These Peacock (top) and Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars are well-developed and will pupate in a few days after filling up on Nettle leaves!

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Caterpillars

Continue to replace Nettle host plant leaves when they wilt or are eaten. You can let the caterpillars move themselves onto the fresh leaves, or attempt moving them with a fine paint brush. By around 10 days after hatching, the caterpillars will be roughly half-grown, at which point they are easier to observe and handle. It may also be possible to discern which species they are based on patterning and colouration.

From this point they will continue to grow quickly. Once the caterpillars reach about 1cm long, I recommend moving them to a mesh cage as they benefit from the air flow and slightly drier conditions. Provide the caterpillars with cut stems in a jar or vase of water, and replenish as required - leaves usually stay fresh for a few days.

By about 3 weeks, the caterpillars will be ready to pupate. At this point, they will find somewhere safe to suspend themselves in a J-shape. The caterpillar attaches itself to a stem or the side/top of the enclosure with a small silk pad, and will hang there for 1-3 days whilst it prepares to shed its exoskeleton for the final time. They will remain largely motionless during this time and should not be disturbed.

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Pupal development

This photo demonstrates how pupae look during different stages of development: the pupa on the right is freshest and not showing any development; the left one is beginning to develop; and the middle pupa is very close to emerging as you can see the butterfly is fully formed inside.

Pupae

Once the larval skin has been shed, the pupa (also known as a chrysalis) is very soft and vulnerable, so must be left alone to harden for at least a couple of days. After this, you can either leave the pupae where they are to emerge, or move to another enclosure. If they are not in the way of other larvae I would recommend leaving them in place.

If you have purchased pupae, you can care for them by simply laying them out on tissue paper or paper towel at the base of a mesh enclosure - the butterfly use these surfaces to pull themselves out. The pupae do not require any special care, but should not be handled unless necessary (e.g. when moving between enclosures). Normal room temperature is ideal, though it is a good idea to keep the pupae out of direct sunlight and away from anywhere particularly hot, like a radiator - in nature, caterpillars normally pupate in shaded, humid areas among the undergrowth.

This stage lasts about two weeks, though during the heat of summer can be as short as one week, with butterflies typically emerging in around 10-14 days.

Although not one of our native species, the photo above shows Monarch butterfly pupae and illustrates nicely how the they change before emerging. The pupae will darken from their original colour to almost black, but upon closer inspection you can often see the wing patterns of the butterfly within - an indication that they will emerge within hours or days.

Native Butterflies

This image was taken in one of our breeding cages with dozens of Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies.

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Adult butterflies

Upon emerging from the pupa, the butterfly must hang upside-down to inflate its wings - do not be alarmed if the wings appear small and crumpled when they first hatch, this is normal! Usually the wings are fully inflated within 30 mins, but it can take a few hours for them to solidify so they should not be disturbed or handled.

Adult butterflies can be released when the lifecycle is complete, or you may wish to keep them for a few days to enjoy their beauty. This guide is ideal if you plan to keep them - Caring for Adult Butterflies.

If you intend to release the butterflies, it is a good idea to wait 24 hours after they emerge so that their wings have hardened, and offer sugar water as a food source beforehand - this gives them a bit of a head start in the wild whilst they search for nectar flowers and fallen fruit to drink from.

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!
  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!