Learning from a textbook can only take children so far. There's a point at which they need to get their hands dirty, to witness nature first hand before the learning bug bites them. That's the idea... Learning from a textbook can only take children so far. There's a point at which they need to get their hands dirty, to witness nature first hand before the learning bug bites them. That's the idea behind Insect Lore, a company that's been supplying live insects and habitats to children and families around the world since 1969. While they primarily offer live butterflies and caterpillars, they also have ladybugs and ants, along with little ecosystems where these incredible creatures can thrive, letting kids watch a life cycle or a full metamorphosis right before their eyes. In 1999, Insect Lore even had the privilege of teaming with NASA to determine if butterflies could metamorphisize in zero gravity space. Astronauts borrowed some Painted Lady butterflies from Insect Lore and, as it turns out, they have no problem emerging in space. read more