The Association for Butterflies is dedicated to butterfly research.  Written in the bylaws is a designation for 30 – 40 percent of *income to be used for research.

From disease to migration, shipping to artificial diet, we invite suggestions for research projects. 

Current Research:

Two shipments of Monarchs with microsporidia (suspected nosema) were donated by a member of For Butterflies for a study. 
At the current time microsporidia from these butterflies are being studied at:

• Insect Pathology, Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana, IL
• CT Agric. Experiment Station
• A research facility in the Czech Republic
• A graduate student of Dr. Chip Taylor, University of Kansas, traveled to study them in the IL facility
• Also expressing interest to Leellen Solter, who received the butterflies, is Dr. Frank Davis (Mississippi State University).

Research Projects to be conducted by For Butterflies members:

            August and September 2006:

• PROJECT A: SHIPPING BOXES AND ICE PACKS: Which is the best insulated box and ice pack to keep butterflies cool and safe during shipment?
  AFB will perform tests to determine the answer to this question.
  All aspects of these experiments will be photographed, logged, and posted openly on this website.
  Would you like to see how the shipping container and ice pack you use holds up in these trials? Send us an insulated box and we will include your shipping box in this test. The more boxes we test, the more we will learn. Results from these tests will be posted on the association website. You do not need to be a member of AFB to submit a box for these tests or to learn the results. Contact Us
  Boxes and ice packs must be received by August 14 to be included in this particular experiment. The actual experiment will run from August 21 through 31. Several trials and shipments will be made during this time. Please send your box to AFB Shipping Research, c/o Edith Smith, 12876 SW CR 231, Brooker, FL 32622
• PROJECT B: STERILIZING EGGS:Have you ever wondered how long to soak your eggs? What strength of chemical/cleanser to use and how long should they be soaked? Do you wonder if you are using the best method to wash your eggs?
  AFB will be conducting experiments with wash solutions on heavily contaminated OE Monarch eggs.
  If you would like your recipe to be included, please Contact usLet the AFB carry out this testing for you. If you have any questions about sterilizing eggs, please send your question(s) for inclusion into the tests.
  If you are in a location in Florida (to comply with USDA rules) where you can wild-catch infected Monarch butterflies or if you have access to OE infected Monarchs and are east of the continental divide, please contact AFB. Heavily infected Monarchs will be needed to obtain hundreds of eggs for these experiments. If you are shipping Monarchs for this test, AFB will pay for your shipping and handling expenses.

If you would like to submit information gained from research at your facility for this site, please contact For Butterflies at Contact Us

* after administrative expenses