Interview with Linda Marchman
Owner of Social Butterflies in Virginia
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1. What started your interest in butterflies in general?
I've always loved butterflies. When I was little, I had a butterfly collection. I'd catch them and mount them. Years ago, I visited Callaway Gardens in GA and we went into the butterfly house. It was enchanting! All those beautiful winged creatures flying around landing on people. I started to take more notice of butterflies in general then.
2. How did you get into butterfly farming?
About 7 years ago I read a magazine article that talked about how people were raising butterflies and releasing them at special events. This really appealed to me. Later, when we were driving back from a vacation in the Outer Banks, I saw a field of butterflies and I remembered that article and I knew that I had to learn more about them. So, I started studying everything about butterflies I could get my hands on and learned everything I could. I started corresponding via email with others who shared my interest. I took the Master Gardener course and became one. It was one of the most interesting courses I've ever taken.
3. How long have you been raising butterflies?
Six years
4. What did you do before raising butterflies?
I've done a number of things.(I never could settle on just one). I was an assistant principal in a public school in Florida, my husband and I owned a houseboat rental business, I was an assistant director of an arts council, I did a lot of volunteer work, I worked in an investment business, I owned a jewelry business and I goofed off.
5. What species do your raise?
I raise monarchs, painted ladies, variegated fritillaries, gulf fritillaries, red admirals, tiger, black, spicebush and pipevine swallowtails. Just this year I raised giant swallowtails for the first time.
6. Do you raise all year long? If not, how long do you raise?
I start raising about April - May here in Virginia. My season is over around the end of September.
7. What other butterfly services (if any, ex: presentations, butterfly products, release boxes, etc.) do you offer?
I give butterfly presentations to many groups. I especially like doing this ~ I guess it's the teacher in me ~ especially because people are so fascinated with what I have to say! Most people don't know much about butterflies, so any little fact I throw at them is interesting. Of course, I haven't talked to a roomful of entomologists or lepidopterists yet, either!
8. Do you sell wholesale and retail?
I sell both, but mostly retail.
9. What is your favorite part of your job?
I really like being able to show people how I raise butterflies. I like seeing people's faces when I let a caterpillar crawl up my arm, or when I let a child hold her or his first butterfly.
10. Which butterfly is your favorite?
I love Zebra Swallowtails but I haven't been able to attract them yet. To me, they are especially beautiful with the bright red markings in the middle of the black and white stripes. I need more pawpaws!
11. What is one thing many people don't know about your business?
The fact that I can raise quite a number of butterflies in a room in my house. I call it "the butterfly room".what else? It used to be my exercise area and now I share it with my husband, who uses it during the winter for his art studio. He moves out of the room in April.
12. Do you do tours?
I do not do tours. I'm not really set up for it. But I do have people over to see my butterfly garden.
13. Do you do presentations?
If so, to what age group? I have given presentations to all age groups, from age 5 on up to age 85 or more.
14. Have you been featured in newspaper or magazine articles?
Yes, I have, but those links have disappeared. I've had articles written about me in about 5 or 6 different city's newspapers.
15. Is there any information about your business would you like to share with our readers?
Our readers are welcome to visit my website: www.socialbtrflies.com
Email Linda at socialbutterflie@embarqmail.com
