Make your own butterfly envelope

Audience

Primary school
Learning stage

Stage 2, Stage 3
Learning area

Science
Type

Teaching resources

Butterflies and moths are a group of insects known as lepidopterans, which means 'scaly wings'. It is these overlapping scales that give them their spectacular colours and patterns. An entomologist is a scientist who studies butterflies and moths.

When an entomologist collects butterflies in the field, they might place them in a butterfly envelope folded from a rectangle of special paper. On the outside of the envelope they write the following information: the name of the butterfly (if they know it), where it was found, when it was found, the habitat in which it was found (e.g. the plant it was sitting on), and the name of the collector. In this activity, students make their own butterfly envelope using cardboard cut-outs of species of Australian butterfly.

The name of a scientist who studies insects is an entomologist!
When collecting a butterfly, a collector should always record the date, location, habitat type, and butterfly species if known.
Butterflies taste with their feet!
Butterflies live for between one week and a year.

Materials

For this activity, you will need:

a butterfly envelope sheet (see below)
a piece of baking paper (16 cm X 20 cm)
a lead pencil
scissors
colour pencils

Follow the steps written under the slideshow to help you create your butterfly envelope.

Butterfly envelope

Downloadable PDF
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Step 1: You will need a butterfly sheet (see above), a piece of baking paper (16 cm X 20 cm), a lead pencil, scissors and colour pencils. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane

Step 2: Draw a line 2 cm in from the edge of the short side. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane

Step 3: Fold the paper across to the edge of the line. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane

Step 4: Turn the paper 90 degrees and then fold-over the overhanging edge of the baking paper. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane

Step 5: Flip over the envelope and slide a coloured-in butterfly inside. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane

Step 6: Fold over the overhanging edge to seal the envelope. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane

Step 7: Write your name and date on the envelope, and use the information cards to help you write down the name of the butterfly species and its habitat. Image: Mathew Sloane
© Mathew Sloane