Many of our available species are raised in butterfly aviaries all over the world. In these operations, females are brought in from the wild to lay their eggs inside a large enclosed habitat. This way she and all of her offspring are protected from disease, parasites, and predators. One female butterfly can lay thousands of eggs, but in the wild only a handful will survive into adulthood because of all of these obstacles. In captivity virtually 100% will survive. Once the butterflies reach adulthood many are released back into the wild to help increase the indigenous populations. The rest are kept in the butterfly house for the rest of their lives, which is only a week or so in most cases, after they hatch from their chrysalis. Museums, universities, and businesses like ours will purchase the deceased specimens to preserve and keep in a collection for the public, to study things like DNA/evolution of a species/mutations/disease, or to make artwork. Butterfly rearing has been a crucial intervention of deforestation in many threatened forested areas, as it has offered a financial incentive to locals that allow them to support themselves and their families by positively contributing to the protection of their natural flora and fauna, which in turn saves the native species of insects and plants from becoming endangered or extinct.

CLICK HERE for more information about butterfly aviaries.