HOW VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLARS BECOME BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES.

Byline: Diana McKeon Charkalis Lifestyle Editor

Anyone who has ever observed it in nature knows how amazing it is when creepy crawly caterpillars transform into graceful butterflies.

Parents and kids can watch this metamorphosis happen at home in about three weeks with the Butterfly Pavilion from Insect Lore ($32.99 with live caterpillars). The kit is designed for kids 4 and up, so we tried it out with help from our bug-loving preschooler.

Crazy for caterpillars: Upon arrival, perhaps stunned from their journey, the 10 tiny caterpillars appeared a bit shellshocked and didn't move inside their two vials. However, the tell-tale webbing around them was an assurance of their viability, according to instructions that come with the kit. And in fact, soon they were crawling around and eating their pre-prepared ``food'' at the bottom of the container. The meal resembled dried paste but must be packed with some kind of super-charged caterpillar nutrients because in just a few days, they multiplied in size, as if they just emerged from Eric Carle's ``The Very Hungry Caterpillar.''

Creating chrysalides: After about a week, it was time for their journey to the top of the container, where they instinctively crawled, flipped upside down and changed into chrysalides. At least most of them did. This is where the first casualties occurred, and only seven out of 10 actually met their goal and traded in their furry, many-legged appearance for that of a suspended hard brown sac.

The chrysalid phase is considered the most vulnerable time, as inside, old body parts are going through a remarkable transformation. Any movement of their container caused our chrysalides to shake violently, which caused us to panic at first. But we referred to the brochure and learned that this is their natural instinct to ward off predators. ``Cool,'' said the preschooler.

Beauty of butterflies: Once they formed, the chrysalides were moved into a pop-up butterfly observation habitat and attached to the mesh wall with Scotch tape. Ours soon fell off. So we kept them on the floor of the habitat, which worked for seven of the eight chrysalides. Over the course of three days, we watched as the seven beautiful Painted Lady butterflies emerged and stretched their new wings.

Butterflies like to drink from freshly sliced oranges, flowers sprayed with sugar water or even wadded up facial tissue soaked with sugar water. We chose flowers and made a mission out of visiting the garden each day to find delicacies we thought they might enjoy.

But all good things must come to an end. Since the butterflies only live for a few weeks, we took them with us to preschool where the class got to check them out and set them free. All that's left now are photos of the Painted Ladies heading for the sky and memories of a remarkable journey.

For more information about the kits, visit www.insectlore.com or call (1-800) 548-3284 (1-800-LIVE BUG).

Diana McKeon Charkalis, [phone]

diana.charkalis(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1) Children can watch the process by which caterpillars become Painted Lady butterflies inside a Butterfly Pavilion.

(2) The caterpillars eat special food in preparation for their transformation into ...

(3) ... chrysalides. Attached to the top of the container, they metamorphose into ...

(4) ... Painted Lady butterflies, which feed on fruit or flowers sprayed with sugar water to prepare for their first flight.