Скачать или смотреть Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies in their Chrysalis

Hey Rockheads!

All our caterpillars are safely in their chrysalises! Look at the colours of them! They are due to appear any day now!

Once among the most common butterflies in Europe and temperate Asia, this butterfly is in very rapid decline, at least in Western Europe. This decline cannot be explained by the decline of its host plant, because the nettle is widespread. They ONLY feed on stinging nettles, so Mrs Rock has been collecting nettle with a pair of rubber gloves, looking like a total weirdo 😂. We are hoping that this little batch will at least help the local Small Tortishell population, fingers crossed!

This isn’t our first shot at raising butterflies. A few years ago whilst gardening we found a batch of Large White butterfly eggs on a weed we were just about to murder. Mrs Rock being Mrs Rock, promptly rescued the eggs and we kept them until they safely morphed into butterflies! Rearing butterflies from caterpillars is easy, depending on the species, and as long as you have the food plants and a suitable growing place for them, anyone can do it. Our children find the experience truly amazing, they are fascinated by the caterpillars quick growth and how much they can eat! Then - there’s the magic of seeing these creatures make their bizarre little cocoons and morphing into something so delicate and beautiful. Releasing them is truly magical. This time will be even more special because this species is of great concern in our country. We will be helping them out. And we will document all of it for you too!

We hope you enjoy watching them grow as much as we do!

Please like and subscribe to keep up with their progress!! Leave us a comment and tell us about your experiences!

*Please never buy caterpillars to be released if they are not native species. You will threaten your local eco-system by doing so*