There are advantages and disadvantages of each species for specific release purposes. Scroll down for more information.
When you are searching for butterflies you will find that
there are up to nine different species that the government
allows to be shipped across state lines.
If you happen to order butterflies from a farmer in your state, they may raise
different butterfly species than what is 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 most state lines are Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Giant Swallowtails,
Painted Ladies, American Painted Ladies, Mourning Cloaks, Red Admirals, Zebra Longwings, and Gulf Fritillaries.
Monarchs – Monarchs are the most popular butterfly for butterfly releases. They are also the most recognized butterfly. You will notice
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 wing span of 3 3/8 to 4 7/8”. A Monarch butterfly release is spectacular.
When released, they tend to soar and glide through the air.
Painted Ladies – Painted Ladies are the second most popular butterfly for releases. Their colors are an orange-brown, with
black markings along with some white markings on its upper wings. They are not as expensive as the Monarch. They also are a smaller
butterfly, with a wing span of 2 – 2 7/8 inches. They do work well in displays because of their size and they seem to be happy in
smaller areas.
Black Swallowtails - Black Swallowtails are a beautiful butterfly. They have a wing span of about 3 ¼” – 4 ¼”. They are primarily
black with males having a yellow band near the edge of their wings. Females have a row of yellow spots and an iridescent blue band.
They have tails that can be easily broken. Also, if handled too much, their color does come off. Only a few butterfly farmers
raise Black Swallowtails.
American Painted Lady – The American Painted Lady looks very similar to the Painted Lady. They have less white markings on their
upper wings than the Painted Ladies. Not as many farmers raise this type though, and you may have a harder time locating American Painted Ladies.
Mourning Cloak – The Mourning Cloak appears to be a black butterfly, but is actually a dark maroon with a whitish border and
violet-blue row of spots on its lower wings. It has a wing span of about 2 ¼ to 4”. 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. They may work better for displays. This butterfly is raised by only a few butterfly farmers.
Red Admirals - The Red Admiral is a cheerful looking butterfly. It is black with a reddish orange band along the bottom wings
and also has a band midway. There are white spots near the apex of the wing. It varies in size, anywhere from 1 ¾ inch to a
3 inch wing span. Again, this butterfly is raised by only a few butterfly farmers.
Zebra Longwings –Zebra Longwings are a medium sized butterfly. They have a 2 – 4 inch wings span. They are mostly black with
yellow stripes that run from wing tip to wing tip. The underside of the wings are striped the same as the upper side of the wings.
The Zebra Longwing tends to hover in flight, slowly and gracefully moving from flower to flower. These are raised and released
only in the southern states.
Giant Swallowtails – The Giant Swallowtail is a large butterfly with a wing span of 5 inches or longer. They are brownish black
with yellow stripes. Their underside is yellow with brownish black. They have tails like the Black Swallowtail butterfly.
These can be easily broken. This does not hurt the butterfly’s ability to fly. Since they rest with their wings open, they are
lovely in displays.
Gulf Fritillary - The Gulf Fritillary is a medium size butterfly, with a wing span of 2 ½ to 3 3/4 “wing span.
They are an orange butterfly with black specks on their wings. The undersides of all wings are silver and orange.
The silver glistens in the sunlight. The Gulf Fritillary flies quickly from flower to flower, taking a long time to stop
and drink from each bloom. These are raised by only a few butterfly farmers.
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 and cannot be imported without a special containment facility
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.
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