South Australian Museum - North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Butterfly Challenge

Australian Admiral butterfly

Taking part in the Butterfly Challenge is your opportunity to bring butterflies back to your garden, street, school, city and state.

Butterflies are one of the most loved insects, however people often forget that to have butterflies you need their larval stage, the much less popular caterpillar!

If we provide food for butterflies, as well as their caterpillars, these insects will visit and breed in your own 'back yard'. Many other insects will also benefit. This will increase the biodiversity and provide food for birds, bats, lizards and other animals that visit and stay.

Will you take part in the Butterfly Challenge?

To complete the butterfly Challenge you need to complete all three parts:

Step One: Find Out

• Find out what butterflies occur in your area and what they need to survive.
• Research indigenous, water wise palnts that are best suited to your local area.

Step Two: Take Action

• Make a plan of your garden.
• Plant indigenous , water wise butterfly food and nectar plants
• Provide a water source, some rocks, shelter, colour, shade and an open area.

Step Three: Spread the Word

• Tell your neighbours, friends, school or local community members about your butterfly garden
• You may like to contact Butterfly Conservation SA to become an offical 'Butterfly site'.

To learn more:

• Visit www.butterflygardening.net.au
• Read 'Attracting butterflies to your garden, what to grow and conserve in the Adelaide region' available from the Museum Shop
• Visit the South Australian Museum

Especially for Children 5–8 Years

'Salty' the caterpillar of the Bitterbush Blue Butterfly

Meet 'Salty' the caterpillar of the Saltbush Blue butterfly. Salty will guide you through the first part of your butterfly challenge.

Ask your teacher, leader or parents to help you complete the second and third parts of your challenge either at home or at school.

Download your Butterfly Challenge Passport below:

Passport 5–8 years

Teacher Resources for Children 5–8 Years

A number of resources have been developed to assist teachers working with the younger age group to present the Butterfly Challenge, especially Part One – Find Out.

These will be available on this page shortly and will include caroon characters of various caterpillars, process running sheet for part one of the challenge and images.

For further information purchase the book 'Attracting butterflies to your garden, what to grow and conserve in the Adelaide Region' from the Museum Shop or go to the Butterfly Gardening website provided by members of Butterfly Conservation SA.