The Butterflies at Our Farm
Each year brings new delight to the farm as we identify another species of butterfly. Many are furtive and not easily photographed, or there is not a camera handy at the sighting. We invite you enjoy the images we have captured!
Some of the Butterfly Species We Raise for Release & Exhibits
Butterflies for Release:
Michigan Native Butterfly Farm raises the following butterfly species for release throughout the United States. Please check to see which can be released in your state by visiting Association For Butterflies USDA-APHIS-PPQ Butterfly Environmental Release Decision Chart.
Monarch / Painted Lady / American Lady / Eastern Black Swallowtail / Mourning Cloak / Red Admiral
Monarchs
Monarchs are the most well recognized and popular butterflies for release. They are a lovely butterfly with vivid orange and black markings and a wingspan of 3 3/8th to 4 7/8th”. A Monarch butterfly release is spectacular! When Monarch butterflies are released they tend to soar and glide gracefully through the air.
Monarch Pricing
- $90.00 per dozen, plus shipping
- $85.00 per 3-4 dozen, plus shipping
- $80.00 per 5 dozen or more, plus shipping
- Individual: $10.00, plus shipping
Painted Ladies
Painted Lady butterflies are the second most popular butterflies for release. They are orange and brown with black and white markings on the upper wings while the underside of the wings feature a bright pink spot. Painted Ladies are smaller with a wingspan of 2” – 2 7/8th” and work well in displays because of their size. They often fly away quickly when released but they are also known to linger near the release site and even land on people!
Painted Lady Pricing
- $65.00 per dozen, plus shipping
- Individual: $7.00, plus shipping
Eastern Black Swallowtails
Black Swallowtails are beautiful butterflies and an excellent choice for those desiring a ‘blue’ butterfly for release as they have an iridescent blue band on their hind wings. The males have a wide yellow band near the edge of their wings while the females have a row of pale yellow spots and more prominent blue coloring. They have a wingspan of approximately 3 ¼ “ – 4 ¼ “.
Eastern Black Swallowtail Pricing
- $100.00 per dozen, plus shipping
Individual: $15.00 plus shipping
American Painted Ladies
American Painted Lady butterflies look very similar to the Painted Lady butterfly. They have fewer white markings on their upper wings and are slightly larger and brighter orange. They have the same flight pattern as that of the Painted Lady butterfly.
American Painted Lady Pricing
- $75.00 per dozen, plus shipping
Red Admiral butterflies
are a distinctive black with a reddish-orange band along the hind wings and upper wings and white spots on the apex of the wing. Red Admiral butterflies vary in size from 1 ¾ “ to a 3” wingspan. When released, they have an erratic flight pattern.
Red Admiral Pricing
- $75.00 per dozen, plus shipping
Mourning Cloaks
Mourning Cloak butterflies are a very deep red with a bright, yellowish border around the wings. There is a darker band with bright blue spots between the border and the dark red inner side. Mourning Cloak butterflies vary in size from 1 ¾ “ to a 3” wingspan. When released, they have an erratic flight pattern.
Mourning Cloak Pricing
- $100.00 per dozen, plus shipping