Butterfly Science Experiment

The Question: Does cold or warm temperatures affect how a caterpillar grows?

The Experiment:
1.Order 2 Butterfly Gardens.
2. Record the date your caterpillars arrive. (Quick note: Caterpillars are in a cup that is self-contained. They have all the food they need until they become butterflies.)
3. Place 1 cup with caterpillars in a warm area of the house, like a high shelf or upstairs.
3. Place 2nd cup with caterpillars in a cooler place of the house, like near the floor or the downstairs.
4. Measure the temperatures at each location daily and record them. There should be 2 to 3 degrees in difference between the 2 spots for best results.
5.Record the data (i.e. the temperture) in your journal every day until the caterpillars become a chrysalis. Drawing pictures in your journal also helps the scientific process.

Did the caterpillars grow at the same rate in both places? Which place did they grow faster? Why would a caterpillar grow best at this temperature?

The Facts: A caterpillar's growth is related to the environment temperature. Insects like caterpillars are cold-blooded, so their bodies is the same temperature as the environment. Because of this they are more active during warmer times of the year. Since the plants caterpillars use for food also grow during the warmer times of the year, warm temperatures are also best for the caterpillars. If the caterpillars started to grow before the plants did, it would be bad for the caterpillars! If there is 2 to 3 degrees difference in the 2 spots you placed the cups, the cooler caterpillars may be 3 to 8 days behind in growth compared to the warm area ones.