wedding - 1

Butterfly Release Course
for Event Planners
Day One

(c) Association for Butterflies; Research, Conservation, Farming, and Gardening 2007

www.forbutterflies.org

1

Table of Contents
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Welcome
Other Options
Sunlight
Temperature
Raining, Misting
USDA Laws & Permits
Shipping Regulations in Other
Countries

10. Advantages & Disadvantages
of each species for release
20. Blue Butterflies
21. Shipping Within & Across
State Lines
22. Charts showing which
butterflies can be shipped
into which states



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Welcome!
Congratulations! You have taken the first step to learning more about an ever-expanding way
to celebrate any occasion. We hope you enjoy the class.
Releasing butterflies is truly a magical experience and is becoming increasingly popular.
Informing your customers about this growing practice will impress them and they will know that
you are staying on top of current trends. By taking this course, you will learn what is correct
and what can and what cannot be done releasing butterflies. This will enable you to have a
successful butterfly release for your customers.



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Other

(less desirable)

Release Options

Many places will no longer allow rice or bird seed to be
thrown at a wedding or other event. Throwing either of
these can cause slippery conditions on sidewalks.
Sometimes, the seeds will sprout, causing weeds to grow
where they are not wanted.
Balloons that are released pollute the environment.
Not only does a butterfly release make a very memorable impression, but it raises
peoples’ awareness of butterflies. Butterflies are affected by pollution, pesticides, too
much land development, climate change, etc. As one releases butterflies, it actually
helps the population by providing a venue for them to breed, thereby increasing their
numbers.



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Sunlight
Butterflies naturally fly in sunlight.

A butterfly release should take
place at least 1 hour before
sunset.

Sunlight allows butterflies to find
a safe place to spend the night
away from ants and other
predators that stay in, on, or
near the ground.

Their body temperature lowers at
night and they become inactive.



5

Temperature
Butterflies cannot fly well in cold weather.
The temperature at the time of the release
should be at least 60 degrees, preferably
warmer to hold a successful release.
If you are not sure of your expected weather,
visit http://www.wunderground.com. Type in
appropriate zip code under find forecast,
scroll down to, “weather history for this
location” and insert date of the event to find
your weather forecast.
If you are releasing Painted Ladies, be aware
that temperatures of at least 70 degrees are
recommended. Cooler temperatures do not
harm them; they simply are not as eager to
fly.



6

Raining, Misting
Raining, Misting
Butterflies should not be released
when it is raining. If it is misting
however, you will still be able to
release them. Although they will
not fly as vigorously as if it was a
hot, sunny day, your release will
still be breathtaking.

THE RULE OF THUMB:
If you would not want to stand in the rain to release butterflies, the butterflies will not be eager to fly.


7

USDA Laws & Permits
for the butterfly farmer
in the United States
In the United States, shipping butterflies across state lines is regulated by the USDA. We will discuss what is involved so you will know which
butterflies can be shipped to you and the differences between each species.
USDA Laws and Permits for the Farmer ~ The USDA has control over transportation of butterflies across state lines. Since butterfly
caterpillars eat plants, they are considered by the USDA to be “plant pests”. Nine different species of butterflies are allowed to be shipped.
Not all of those 9 species can be shipped to all states or raised in all states.
See http://www.forbutterflies.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/USDA-butterfly-release-chart7.pdf
for a chart that indicates which butterfly species are allowed to be shipped into which states for release.
Butterfly farmers are allowed to raise local butterflies (other than the 9 approved species) and release them within their own state. Contact your
local farmer to determine if they raise others than the 9 species.
Monarchs are not allowed to be shipped across the Continental Divide, either way. Some butterfly farmers raise butterflies for the west coast
and vice versa. This enables them to fill orders from across the Rocky Mountains and not break the law by working with farmers on the opposite
side of the Divide, shipping Monarchs to each other’s customers.
New York limits the number of Monarchs shipped into the state to 50 for release purposes. If customers wish to release more than 50
Monarchs, they must apply for a permit through the state of New York. To obtain your permit application or more information about New
York’s conditions, call

Kathy O’Brien’s office: 518.402.8990
NYSDEC Special Licenses Unit
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233



Shipping Regulations
in other Countries
When ordering butterflies outside of the United States, you
will want to find a farmer that is in your own country. Since
there can be delays when crossing borders, this would not
be good for the butterflies. Some countries require special
permits that must be applied for in advance by the receiver.



Advantages & Disadvantages
of each species for releases
http://www.forbutterflies.org/choosing-butterflies-for-release/
In the United States, when you are searching for butterflies, you will find that there are nine
species allowed to be shipped across state lines:
Monarch
Painted Lady
American Painted Lady
Black Swallowtail
Giant Swallowtail
Gulf Fritillary
Mourning Cloak
Red Admiral
Zebra Longwing


Monarch
Monarchs are the most popular butterfly
for releases. They are also the most –
recognized butterfly. You will discover
that most farmers raise Monarchs. It is a
lovely butterfly with vivid orange and
black markings. Although they are more
expensive than Painted Lady butterflies,
they are larger, with a wingspan of 3 3/8”
to 4 7/8”. A Monarch release is
spectacular. When released, they tend to
soar and glide gracefully through the air.



Painted Lady
These butterflies are the second most
popular release butterflies. Their colors are
orange and brown, with black and white
markings on the upper wings. The underside
of the wings features a bright pink spot.
They are not as expensive as Monarchs, since
they are smaller with a wingspan of 2” – 2
7/8”. The do work well in displays because
of their size and they seem to be happy in
smaller areas. They tend to fly away quickly
when released.



American Painted Lady
The American Painted Lady looks very
similar to the Painted Lady. They have
fewer white markings on their upper
wings than the Painted Ladies. They tend
to found in cooler climates than the
Painted Ladies. Not as many farmers
raise this species, and you may have a
more difficult time locating American
Painted Ladies.



Black Swallowtail
Black Swallowtails are beautiful butterflies.
They have a wingspan of approximately 3 ¼
“ – 4 ¼ “. They are primarily black with the
males having a yellow band near the edge of
their wings. Females have a row of yellow
spots and an iridescent blue band. If handled
too much, a few of their scales may rub off,
but it does not affect the butterfly’s ability to
fly. They are common to the eastern states.
These butterflies flutter when nectaring on
flowers. Only a few farmers raise Black
Swallowtails.



Giant Swallowtail
The Giant Swallowtail is the largest of
the North American swallowtails, with a
wingspan of 5 inches or more. They are
brownish black with yellow stripes.
Their underside is yellow with black.
Since they rest with their wings open,
they are lovely in displays. When
released, they exhibit a slow flight
pattern.



Gulf Fritillary
The Gulf Fritillary is a medium size butterfly,
with a wingspan of 2 ½” to 4 ¾”. It has an
orange and black palette, with an iridescent
underside composed of silver spots. The
silver glistens in the sunlight. The Gulf flies
quickly from flower to flower, taking a long
time to nectar on each bloom. They are
more common to southern states, but can be
found sometimes in more northerly states.
These butterflies are raised only by a few
farmers.



Mourning Cloak
The Mourning Cloak appears to be a black
butterfly, but is actually a dark maroon with a
cream-colored border and violet-blue row of
spots on its lower wings. It has a wingspan
of about 2 ¼ “ to 4 “. Mourning Cloaks can
be found in most states throughout the
country. This is a lovely butterfly, but
caution needs to be taken when doing
releases with this butterfly. They like to play
dead when touched and may not be the most
suitable for releases. Only a few farmers
raise this species.



Red Admiral
The Red Admiral is a cheerful-looking
butterfly. It is black with a reddish-orange
band along the hind wings and upper wings.
There are white spots on the apex of the
wing. It varies in size, anywhere from 1 ¾ “
to a 3” wingspan. When released, it has an
erratic flight. This butterfly is only raised by
a few farmers.



Zebra Longwing
Zebra Longwings are a medium-sized
butterfly. They have a 2” to 4” wingspan.
Their coloring is mostly black with yellow
horizontal stripes that run from wingtip to
wingtip. When flying, it is slow and graceful.
They tend to hover in flight, moving from
flower to flower. Zebras are only indigenous
to the southern states and are raised by only
a few farmers in the south.



Blue Butterflies
Many brides request blue butterflies. The butterfly they most often request is the
Blue Morpho. Blue Morpho butterflies are not native to the United States or Canada
and cannot be imported without a special containment facility that is inspected by the
USDA. Laws for imported butterflies are so strict that even in secure butterfly
exhibits, deceased imported butterflies must be incinerated or frozen at sub-zero
temperatures for many hours before disposal of their bodies. This is to prevent
importation of butterfly diseases, parasites, and parasitoids.
NOTE: If a customer wants to release blue butterflies they may be disappointed.
Black Swallowtail females have blue on their lower wings, though remember Black
Swallowtails are difficult to locate.
If the customer lives outside the US, contact butterfly farmers in your country to
discover if any blue butterflies are available for your clients.


Shipping Within &
Across State Lines
In the United States, when you are searching for butterflies, you will find that there are
nine different species that the government allows to be shipped across state lines.
http://www.forbutterflies.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/USDA-butterfly-release-chart7.pdf

If you happen to order butterflies from a farmer in your state, they may raise different
butterfly species other than those listed below. Farmers do not need a permit to ship
within their own state.
The nine species of butterflies which are allowed to be shipped across state lines are
Monarchs (M), Black Swallowtails (BST), Giant Swallowtails (GST), Painted Ladies (PL),
American Painted Ladies (AL), Mourning Cloaks (MC), Red Admirals (RA), Zebra
Longwings (ZL), and Gulf Fritillaries (GF). Please study the following list in the next three
slides.



Chart of 9 Species by State
(which butterflies can be shipped into each state)
Alabama: GF, M, ZL, GST, BST, RA, PL, AL
Alaska: MC, RA, PL, AL
Arizona: GF, GST, MC, RA, PL, AL
Arkansas: GF, M, GST, MC, RA, PL, AL
California: GF, M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Colorado: M,MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Connecticut: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Delaware: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Florida: GF, M, ZL, BST, RA, PL, AL
Georgia: GF, M, ZL, GST, BST, RA, PL, AL
Hawaii: None (you must purchase from a butterfly farm in Hawaii)
Idaho: M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Illinois: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Indiana: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Iowa: GF,M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Kansas: GF, M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Kentucky: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Louisiana: GF, M, ZL, GST, BST, RA, PL, AL


Maine: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Maryland: GF, M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Massachusetts: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Michigan: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Minnesota: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Mississippi: GF, M, ZL, GST, BST, RA, PL, AL
Missouri: GF, M, GST, MC, RA, PL, AL
Montana: MC, RA, PL, AL
Nebraska: GF, M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Nevada: MC, RA, PL, AL
New Hampshire: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
New Jersey: M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
New Mexico: GF, M, PL, GST, MC, BST, RA, AL
New York: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
North Carolina: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
North Dakota: M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Ohio: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Oklahoma: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Oregon: M, MC, RA, PL, AL


Pennsylvania: M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Puerto Rico: None (a farmer must be located in Puerto Rico)
Rhode Island: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
South Carolina: GF, M, ZL, GST, BST, RA, PL, AL
South Dakota: M, MC, GST, RA, PL, AL
Tennessee: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Texas: GF, M, ZL, GST, BST, RA, PL, AL
Utah: M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Vermont: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Virginia: GF, M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Washington: M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
West Virginia: M, GST, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Wisconsin: M, MC, BST, RA, PL, AL
Wyoming: M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Washington DC: GF, M, MC, RA, PL, AL
Virgin Islands: None (a farmer must be located in the Virgin Islands)
Guam: None (a farmer must be located in Guam)


Coming Tomorrow
Where do your butterflies come from?
When & How to place an order
How are butterflies shipped?
What do you do when your butterflies arrive?
Release Options – Mass or Individual
Release Containers & Envelopes
Photography
Handling Butterflies


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