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Live Butterfly Garden | 
 enlarge | Brand: Insect Lore
Category: Toy
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $12.00
You Save: $12.99 (52%)
New (38) from $12.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  190 reviews
Sales Rank: 37
Fabric Type: Waterproof PVC Fabric Shell
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 4 - 14 years
Size: Garden
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 13 x 13 x 3
MPN: 1010
Model: 1010
UPC: 073182100004
EAN: 0073182100004
ASIN: B00000ISC5
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Kool....Cool.....Kool.....& Low Price....
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| Features:
| • | See butterfly metamorphosis up close.Reusable, collapsible habitat. | | • | Includes feeder.Complete instructions included. | | • | Includes mail-in voucher for five butterfly larvae and special food. ($3.00 fee for processing) | | • | Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close. | | • | Just mail in the included coupon for larvae and food. |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close with this reusable, collapsible habitat. Fine, transparent mesh lets you see butterfly metamorphosis up close. Product includes easy-to-use feeder and complete instructions for habitat. Butterfly larvae with food shipped directly to your home. The habitat collapses for storage when not in use. You can adopt and raise a handful of caterpillars, watch them transform into painted lady butterflies, then lift the garden cover to release your beautiful specimens into the wild. This exciting habitat makes a fabulous introduction to the miracles of nature. The larvae and food available round the year.
Editorial Review
Did you know that painted ladies (the butterflies, that is) taste with their feet and have 10,000 eyes? You and your kids will be fascinated by all you learn about these beautiful creatures with the Butterfly Garden from Insect Lore. The kit comes with a relatively easy-to-assemble observation chamber; supplies for feeding the butterflies (you provide only sugar and water); an informative booklet of clear instructions and butterfly facts; and a certificate for three to five free painted lady caterpillars. The metamorphosis from larva to butterfly takes about three weeks from when you receive the caterpillar larvae (which arrive in a small container with all the nutrients they need). Your children can watch the larvae increase dramatically in size, form chrysalides, and finally emerge into full-fledged painted ladies (it's suggested that they release the butterflies after a few days of observation). This would make a wonderful activity for families with kids of any age, but younger children will need help assembling the observation chamber and reading the instruction booklet. (Note: The manufacturer recommends that butterflies should not be set free in temperatures lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.) --Rachel Radway
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| Customer Reviews: Read 185 more reviews...
 Very educational and fun August 13, 2008
We mailed in the coupon to receive the caterpillars in mid July, and all 10 survived the hot summer mailbox. Within a week they turned into chrysalids, and after about another week the butterflies just popped out! We got one of them coming out on video camera - they come out quick! One of them couldn't come out quite right, but even the 3 on the floor on a paper towel came out just fine.
They weren't too crazy about sugar water, so I did some research and thought maybe the concentration wasn't high enough. So I used a tablespoon of sugar to 1/2 cup of water, and I see them drink from that a bit more. I also cut up oranges, apples, nectarines, and bananas.
I put the pavillion indoors in a sunny location as they fly better when it's above 85 degrees. We even put a light reflecter nearby with an incadescent bulb to keep them warm. It's cool to see them baske.
I still felt like they weren't eating very much, so I went to a local greenhouse and got a smallest annual plant they had that butterflies love (lantana), and within minutes of putting it inside, the butterflies were all over it. And they started laying eggs!! And they're only 5 days old!! Thankfully I've researched what painted lady caterpillars eat (different species eat different leaves) and been collecting plants outdoors. I just hope if the eggs hatch they won't come out of the mesh holes.
the whole family loved it August 7, 2008
My daughter received this from her aunt for her 6th birthday in December. We mailed the enclosed pre-paid card to redeem the larvae in late February. I'm not sure where this was purchased, but there were no hidden, additional costs for us, although my sister paid around $25 for the kit. It took about 2 weeks to receive the larvae, which was packed carefully and properly labeled so the Post Office didn't damage it. It contained 5 larvae and we had 100% success. Facinating to watch as they grow daily. At the point that you remove the crysalids from the plastic cup, it is filled with leftover food, poop, and webs, so you will need someone who is not squeamish. When they were in the butterfly stage, I tried sugar-water on flowers but they didn't seem to eat. Orange slices left mold on the bottom of the cage. Dipping crumpled paper in sugar-water seemed to work best. The butterflies will live about 2 weeks, and we kept them indoors since it was only April and too cold to release them. They did open their wings and become active when the sun came through our window. We released them one warm day after they had been butterflies for two weeks, rather than have them die before our eyes indoors. I would recommend you attempt this 2-month process in warm weather.
 butterfly house August 4, 2008
This was a gift for my niece that she requested. I had given her a similar product (from the same company) earlier and she really liked it. So she wanted another one for her birthday. I was very pleased with the quick delivery and it arrived in fine shape.
 lame extra costs August 4, 2008
I was really disappointed to find that I had to send off to get the catipellers after the package came. Then they never came. Pretty lame! I do like the idea, lets just hope someone else copies the concept and makes it better with better customer service.
Great educational toy! August 4, 2008
These are great, both my 2YO and 6YO have loved it!
Be aware though, you have to send away for the butterflies/food. It's not a big deal - you fill out the enclosed card and send in $3. However, if you're giving this as a gift you may want to open the box & send away for the butterflies first. It's a little disapointing for the kids to find just the empty bug house inside.
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