Raise and Release Your Own Butterflies
Summer is a fantastic time for outdoor activities, and one of our favorites is butterfly rearing and release! It’s engaging, fun, and beneficial for several domains of wellness: emotional, vocational, spiritual, and intellectual.
Emotional Wellness
Interacting with animals and spending time in nature has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Raising butterflies can be a calming and fulfilling experience. Additionally, butterflies are often seen as symbols of transformation and hope, which can be particularly meaningful for those dealing with grief or other emotional challenges.
Vocational Wellness
There's a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from caring for living creatures from caterpillar to butterfly. The process teaches responsibility and dedication, offering a sense of accomplishment when the butterflies are finally released into the wild.
Spiritual Wellness
Spending time in nature and nurturing living beings can be a deeply spiritual experience. It allows us to connect with the natural world and reflect on the cycles of life and renewal.
Intellectual Wellness
Butterfly rearing is a wonderful opportunity to learn something new. From understanding the life cycle of butterflies to learning about their specific needs, this activity stimulates curiosity and intellectual growth.
Things to keep in mind
Before you go full steam ahead on this activity, it's crucial to keep in mind the various environmental considerations.
Native Species: Firstly, be sure to only release butterflies that are native to your area. Many areas have regulations relating to animal releases. Check that you are following the guidelines before starting your activity. Releasing non-native species can disrupt local ecosystems. For example, the monarch is one of the most well known butterfly species. They have an impressive migration journey that spans thousands of miles between North America and Mexico. There are many websites related to their care and migration watch. However, this does not mean that they are the best choice for your region. For example, if you look closely at this map from the Xerces Society, you will notice that there are no monarchs in Western Washington.
Habitat Compatibility: Ensure that the release site is suitable for the butterflies and not already overpopulated. If you are planting your own butterfly garden remember to plant native plants including both host (for caterpillars to eat) and nectar (for the adult butterflies). Research the plants in your area so that you avoid planting invasive species. Milkweed, for example, is crucial for the monarch butterfly, but is invasive in many parts of the world.
Timing: Butterflies require sunlight and warmth to fly. The best time to release them is on a sunny day with warm temperatures. Release butterflies at the right time of year to align with their natural life cycle. For instance, releasing during the correct season ensures that the butterflies have time to establish and reproduce.
Where can I order caterpillars?
One reliable source for caterpillars is Insect Lore. They provide everything you need to get started, including caterpillars and food. There are other suppliers as well, so it's worth exploring different options to find the best fit for you.
How do I best care for caterpillars?
Insect Lore usually sends food with their caterpillars, but if you're sourcing caterpillars elsewhere and you need to provide your own food for the caterpillars, make sure to research the specific dietary needs of the species you are raising.
Metamorphosis and Chrysalis Care
As the caterpillar nears the end of its growth, it finds a suitable place to undergo metamorphosis. This could be on a plant, in a sheltered area, or on a surface where it can secure itself. The caterpillar attaches itself to a surface using silk threads it secretes. It then sheds its final larval skin, revealing the chrysalis underneath. Humidity and temperature are crucial during the chrysalis stage. Ensure a stable, humid environment. This can be done with damp paper towels on the floor of the enclosure or a spray bottle filled with water but avoid spraying the chrysalis directly. Try not to touch the chrysalis as the attachment is very delicate and it is less likely to emerge properly if is doing it from the floor of the enclosure.
Two butterflies going though metamorphosis. The chrysalis on the left is translucent, showing the butterfly inside is almost ready to emerge.
The emergence process can take several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the species. You'll notice the chrysalis darkening and becoming transparent just before the butterfly emerges. You may also notice that the butterflies expel a fluid shortly after emerging from the chrysalis. This is meconium and is often yellow or pinkish in color, but can be lighter or darker. It is completely normal and is simply the butterfly expelling metabolic waste from the metamorphosis process.
Helping Newly Emerged Butterflies
Newly emerged butterflies need time for their wings to dry and straighten. If you see a butterfly on the floor of the enclosure after emerging, gently help it to a safer place. If a butterfly's wings don't dry properly, it might not be able to fly. In such cases, you can try to help it by placing it in a warm, safe environment to give it the best chance.
Great Southern White butterfly emerging from its chrysalis at the Woodland Park Zoo Butterfly Garden.
Adult Butterflies
We cannot count how many times we have heard the words “look, a baby butterfly!” We hate to burst your bubble but ALL butterflies are adults. A baby butterfly is a caterpillar. Once a butterfly has emerged they are their full size. That being said, you do not need to release butterflies as soon as they emerge.
Adult butterflies can live anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months depending on the species so you have some wiggle room when planning a release date/time. Maybe you want to use them as live in a science class to see how their proboscis works, or maybe as models for an art class. Maybe you have a celebration of life planned for a loved one that has recently passed and want to time the release to happen at a specific point.
Whatever your reason for delaying a butterfly release, you will need to feed your butterflies. One of the easiest ways to do this is to provide the butterfly with a mixture of sugar water (1 part sugar to 9 parts water) on a sponge or in a very shallow dish (if you’re worried about drowning your butterflies put pebbles in the dish for them to stand on). You can also provide them with ripe fruit such as oranges, watermelon or peaches or with fresh nectar-producing flowers that are suitable for their species. Remember to replace the fruit daily, and to clean the sugar water containers frequently to avoid disease and other issues.
Polydamas Swallowtail Butterfly
How to Handle Butterflies
When handling butterflies, be very gentle. Try to avoid touching them as much as possible. If you must touch a butterfly, use a soft brush or your fingers to pick them up from underneath, making sure not to touch their wings directly. Butterfly wings are covered in delicate scales and these are what help the butterfly to fly. Any time butterfly wings are touches some of these scales are removed (it will look like dust on your fingers), making it more difficult for the butterfly to be able to survive once released.
Malachite butterfly feeding from a flower.
Planning Your Release
Plan your butterfly release as a special event. Invite friends or family to share in the joy of seeing the butterflies take their first flight. This can be a beautiful and memorable experience for everyone involved. Remember to let people know when this will take place through flyers, social media and word of mouth.
Butterfly rearing and release is not just an activity; it's a journey that fosters connection with nature, instills responsibility, and brings a sense of peace and accomplishment. So, gather your supplies, learn about the butterflies native to your area, and embark on this rewarding adventure.
Male Queen butterfly resting on Sonia's hand and flapping its wings.
Further reading:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12199-009-0091-z#Sec11
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204615000286
