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Brassica & Butterfly
The
Brassica & Butterfly System (see building
instructions) will allow
you to observe an entire plant life cycle along with an entire animal
life cycle over a relatively short time period. The plant, Brassica
rapa,
is a variety that belongs
to the
mustard family that has been selectively bred for a rapid life cycle:
from seed to seed in about 30 days, earning them the nickname "Fast
Plants." These plants have been nicknamed “Fast
Plants.” The animal is Pieris rapae, an insect known as
the cabbage white butterfly. Pieris also has a life cycle that
occurs over about 30 days.
The connection between the two involves feeding
and reproduction. Pieris larvae are particularly fond of eating Brassica leaves,
while Pieris adults
feed on the nectar in Brassica flowers. As the butterflies move
from flower
to flower, they pollinate the Brassica plants.
In addition, Pieris adults are attracted to Brassica leaves
for egg-laying.
There are many
activities that can be done with Brassica, Pieris, or
both. Essential Science for Teachers has suggested a few that
can help you understand plant and animal life cycles better – and
that can be used with great success in K-6 classrooms. The "Brassica & Butterfly
Life Cycles" activity
follows the progress of Brassica from seed to seed as it interconnects
with the life cycle of Pieris from egg to egg. "To
Bee or not to Bee" is an activity you can do to see
what happens to Brassica flowers that are
pollinated and those that are not. "The Salad
Bar"
activity tests the feeding preferences of Pieris larvae, and different
sugar concentrations
in "How Sweet It Is" are used
to see the effect on adult Pieris feeding. Finally,
with the "Mother
Knows Best" activity, you can see on what types
of plants Pieris prefers to lay eggs.
You can follow along online and "Track Our Progress" with
"Brassica & Butterfly
Life Cycles," "The Salad
Bar", and the "Mother Knows
Best" activities.
For more information and acitivities for this system,
visit the Fast Plants website at www.fastplants.org.
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