USDA Permits
USDA Permits to Transport Butterflies across State Lines
Transportation of butterflies and moths across state line is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) APHIS.
Only nine species of butterflies may be shipped across state line for release.
These species are Gulf Fritillary – Agraulis vanillae, Monarch – Danaus plexippus, Zebra Longwing – Heliconius charitonius, Giant Swallowtail – Heraclides cresphontes, Mourning Cloak – Nymphalis antiopa, Eastern Black Swallowtail – Papilio polyxenes, Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta, Painted Lady – Vanessa cardui, and American Painted Lady – Vanessa virgiensis.
Monarchs may not be transported across the continental divide.
Each state allows some or all of these species for release. Please check the USDA APHIS Butterfly Environmental Release Decision Chart to determine which species may be shipped into each state.
The permit necessary is PPQ526.
These permits are valid for four years.
Permit applications may be submitted either by internet.
To apply for an e-permit:
E-permit application has the advantage of online renewal.
Visit http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov/ for more information.
Raising butterflies from breeding stock (other than the nine permitted species) obtained within a state is not regulated other than designated endangered or protected butterflies.
Customer base for butterflies other than the permitted nine for release:
- Exhibits often purchase pupae from breeders who wild-catch breeding stock (and rear from these breeding stock in laboratories) butterflies for exhibits which hold containment permits. Farmers may ship to an exhibit, university, or other facility which holds an import permit. Before shipping butterflies (eggs, larvae, pupae, or adults) not permitted for release, your customer should either fax or mail a copy of the permit for your files.
- Customers within their own state. These customers may release these butterflies within the same state. They may not be transported across state line.
- Specimen butterflies: Killed or naturally expired butterflies which are dried and shipped to customers for art, hobby, jewelry, collections, or other uses.
