Butterfly Garden vs Cup of Caterpillars: Which Should You Buy?
The Butterfly Garden is the starter kit with a habitat; the Cup of Caterpillars is the refill that does not include one.
Insect Lore Insect Lore Butterfly Garden with Redemption Caterpillar Voucher
Insect Lore Insect Lore Cup of 3-5 Live Baby Caterpillars
Side by side
| Insect Lore Butterfly Garden with Redemption Caterpillar | Insect Lore Cup of 3-5 Live Baby | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | See on Amazon → | See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.6 |
| Review count | 23,380 | 3,852 |
| Brand | Insect Lore | Insect Lore |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
Buy the Butterfly Garden if you have never done this before: it includes the reusable 30cm habitat, a feeding pipette and instructions, plus a voucher to claim your caterpillars. Buy the Cup of Caterpillars only if you already own a habitat, since the listing says the habitat is not included. They are not rivals, they are the kit and its refill, and the caterpillars are only available in season.
Which one is for you?
- First timers who need the habitat and want to claim caterpillars by voucher. Read our full look at the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden with Redemption Caterpillar →
- Anyone who already has a habitat, or a classroom wanting another round of caterpillars. Read our full look at the Insect Lore Cup of 3-5 Live Baby →
Kit and refill, not two rivals
The Butterfly Garden listing says the habitat is 30cm tall, reusable, cylindrical with clear mesh, and folds flat for storage. You do not get live caterpillars in the box: you get a voucher to redeem for a Cup of Caterpillars with food, for a small fee, according to the listing.
The Cup of Caterpillars contains 3 to 5 live baby caterpillars, their food, a chrys-a-lid holder, sugar and instructions. The listing says the habitat is not included.
Timing and season
The Butterfly Garden listing says the cycle takes three to five weeks and that caterpillars are available from March to mid September only, though you can pre-order out of season. Insect Lore's UK site says that when you redeem the voucher you pick a dispatch date, which is the date the live insects are sent, not delivery. It lists delivery as three to five working days afterwards.
The refill listing says to open it immediately on arrival, so be at home when it comes. Plan around holidays and term time.
Releasing the butterflies
The cup listing says the caterpillars become Painted Lady butterflies and you release them into the wild. Insect Lore guidance and US retailers say butterflies are cold blooded and should be released in warm weather; if it stays cold you can keep them in the habitat. We could not open the UK instructions to confirm temperatures, so follow the leaflet in the box.
Who should skip both
If you are away for weeks, or cannot take a delivery of live insects, skip both. A child who is squeamish about insects may prefer a book. Insect Lore describes the garden as STEM.org authenticated; that is the brand's own claim. More in educational toys.
Questions people ask
Does the Butterfly Garden come with caterpillars?
Not in the box. It comes with a voucher to redeem for a Cup of Caterpillars with food.
Does the Cup of Caterpillars include a habitat?
No. The listing says the habitat is not included.
When can I buy butterfly caterpillars in the UK?
Listings say March to mid September, with pre-orders possible out of season.
How long does it take to get butterflies?
Insect Lore says about three to five weeks from caterpillar to adult butterfly.
What butterflies do you get?
The cup listing says Painted Lady butterflies.
Sources
- Insect Lore UK, Insect Lore UK Butterfly Garden pages
- Amazon UK listing, Insect Lore Cup of 3-5 Live Baby Caterpillars listing
Prices are pulled live from Amazon.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Educational Toys or see the whole Toys & Games department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.