Butterflies – Preschool Lesson Plan
There is a very good reason why studying butterflies is very popular in the preschool classroom. The change, or metamorphosis, that butterflies go through is very dramatic and makes a lasting impression.
This Butterfly Larvae Kit will turn your butterfly lesson into a hands on activity and will deepen the children’s understanding of the butterfly life cycle and create a lasting impression.
Whole group introduction
Why do we need butterflies?
Butterflies are the second largest group of pollinators next to honey bees.
• What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?
Most butterflies fly during the day (diurnal). Moths fly at night (nocturnal). Butterflies have small bulbs on the end of their smooth antennae. Moths have “fuzzy” antennae.
• What is the life-cycle of a butterfly?
egg, caterpillar, pupa (cocoon), butterfly.
• Where do butterflies live?
In every continent except Antarctica, with the majority in tropical zones.
• What do butterflies eat?
Sweet nectar from fruits and flowers.
| Chart of Butterfly Facts |
| Approximately 24,000 species in the world. 561 in the U.S. and Canada. |
| Butterflies can taste with their feet. |
| They don’t have lungs, but breathe through holes, called spiracles, in their abdomen. |
| Butterflies can see the colors red, yellow and green. |
| Top speeds of 12 miles per hour have been recorded. Moths up to 25 mph. |
| Their wing color is caused by millions of overlapping scales. |
| They taste with their antennae. |
| Butterflies don’t have a mouth. They drink nectar through a straw that they can roll up and down, called a proboscis. |