Header banner
Revain logoHome Page
Tyler Spencer photo
Sweden, Stockholm
1 Level
714 Review
60 Karma

Review on Insect Butterfly Habitat Terrarium: An Engaging Learning & Education Tool by RESTCLOUD by Tyler Spencer

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Great caterpillar shelter

I currently have four Monarch caterpillars in the mesh tent. One has just turned into a doll. To be honest, this tent is as important to me as it is to you. Maybe they're fine without a tent, but that's how I can see the whole process of metamorphosis. It is fascinating. This mesh tent is extremely easy to set up. Guidance is provided on basic caterpillar and butterfly care, including the need to regularly clean up caterpillar droppings. (Cats don't care where they poop! Luckily, the mesh fabric makes it easy to clean this tent out with a garden hose at the end of the season.) As you can imagine, a mesh tent isn't all that durable. Even if the lower part is weighed down, the upper part will move in the wind. This caused problems for one of my caterpillars as it tried to find the best place to attach and pupate. If you have a tent outside, you can choose a spot that will partially protect it from the weather. One side of the tent is covered in plastic sheeting, and while you can see the tent better, it can also create a greenhouse effect if that side is in direct sunlight, so I made sure to turn that side away from the direction of the tent. Sun. I set up this tent on my patio table and brought the caterpillars inside when they were within a day or two of pupation (pupa formation). I moved them by cutting off the sections of my milkweed bush they were chewing on and sticking each cut into the floral water tubes that came with the tent. The cats immediately got used to their new home and began to eat with pleasure. If you put potted plants (as opposed to cuttings) in the tent, you can always place caterpillars here - even if they are eggs. The caterpillars are well protected in this tent and as long as you have fresh food for them (euphorbia for monarchs) they will be fine. I had a tent on an outdoor table, but once the first pupa formed I moved the tent to a more sheltered spot under my roof. This is the case in the event of a strong storm. They are resilient, but I want to give them extra help. You can also set up this tent indoors. The zippered "door" has 2 claws so you can open it from either side. I recommend placing the claws on the bottom of the tent just in case your caterpillars like the top of that side of the tent for their pupa. One of mine was actually zipped to the top of the door, so I had to be careful opening the door to brush up on the spurge. In a few short days I watched my caterpillars feeding and crawling across the tent roof looking for the perfect place to pupate and turn into a pupa. I look forward to the appearance of the monarch butterflies! Watching caterpillars metamorphose is exciting, and I've made my own metamorphosis into a true caterpillar botanist. I also like knowing that I'm helping the monarch butterfly population, even if it's just a few at a time.

Pros
  • This is amazing
Cons
  • Some bugs