Butterflies for release at weddings

A lot of people get engaged or start planning their weddings around the holidays. A unique way to help celebrate the big day during the warmer months is to release butterflies instead of throwing rice, releasing balloons (which are bad for the environment), blowing bubbles or throwing birdseed (which can result in unwanted weeds). A butterfly release is an environmentally-friendly way to help the population of butterflies. Done properly, it can be a beautiful and meaningful way to help the guests remember "that special day". Butterflies are only released if they are indigenous to the state where they are being released. They must occur naturally in that region. If you are getting married in North Dakota, for example, you won't be releasing Gulf Fritillaries, which occur mostly in southern states. A butterfly release is very easy to do. Usually a "butterfly attendant" handles them, so the bride and groom don't have to worry about it. Butterflies are shipped overnight via one of the express carriers. Each one is packed securely in its own small butterfly-sized envelope and then put into a small styrofoam cooler with a frozen cold pack. The cold pack keeps them cool, so they are resting and dormant while in transit. They need heat and light to fly and temperatures must be above 60 degrees to release them. Consider releasing butterflies at your wedding, or other special event to make it memorable!

An news article about monarch butterflies

An article appeared in yesterday's Washington Post about monarch butterflies and how they migrate from Canada and the U.S. to Central Mexico each fall to spend the winter months. Many millions of them have been making the journey south for countless years. The small areas in Mexico have become a tourist destination for people who are amazed at the sheer numbers of so many butterflies congregating in one place. The monarchs are fairly dormant during November through February, staying on Oyamel trees (a type of fir). The outer layers of butterflies help protect the inner layers if there is a cold snap. In the early spring, they begin fluttering about, mating, and following the newly-emerged milkweed, where the females will lay their eggs. In this way, they will begin a northward migration, heading through Mexico and on into Texas, to disperse to other states. These monarchs have been alive for about 7-8 months. They will then die and their offspring will continue the journey north.

Releasing butterflies is good for the environment

When someone releases a farm-raised butterfly at a special event, it is good for the environment. Besides creating a lasting memory for guests at the event, the butterflies will rapidly adjust to their environment, fluttering away, seeking nectar sources and then finding others of their own species, mating, and perpetuating the species. If butterflies are released near the host plants that the female will lay her eggs on, one may even be able to witness the whole life cycle, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and finally emerging as an adult, to begin the process again. Releasing butterflies also helps plants, since the butterflies are good pollinators. They are not as good as bees, but they are an important way to help pollinate many plants.

More elements of butterfly gardening

You will want to add a few other things to your butterfly garden. A damp area that has sand or mud will attract many species of butterflies, especially males. The males need the salts in the sand or mud, which helps in their fertility. A lot of times, you can see a group of butterflies clustered around a mud puddle. This has a name, "puddling". These butterflies are males, imbibing the salts. You can put a few small rocks in the puddling area, to give the butterflies places to rest and warm their wings. Try to keep the area damp, if possible. My puddling area is below the birdbath. The birds splash the water out of the bath onto the ground. This may be good or bad, since the birds will sometimes see the butterflies as a tasty and convenient meal!
For more information on butterfly gardening, see www.socialbtrflies.com.

Basic elements of butterfly gardening

There are several elements that are basic when planning your butterfly garden. First, butterflies really prefer sunny areas. They warm their wings in the sun and they flutter about, nectaring on flowers and some other surprising things that you may not have thought about. I try to choose plants that do well in the sun. Flowers that I have in my garden include butterfly bush, cosmos, Tithonia (Mexican sunflower), zinnias, verbena, lantana, daylilies, asters, milkweed and some others. These are all sun-loving plants that do well without much tending or watering. Of course, I try to keep up with the many weeds that appear, but usually by the end of summer, the weeds have won the battle.
Other things that some butterflies will seek is animal excrement and sap from trees. Rotting fruit attracts many species, also. I try to put out old bananas or any kind of fruit that has passed its peak. I put this fruit not so close to the house, as it will attract ants, flies and other animals.

Butterfly gardening

Butterfly gardening is a learned art, but it is not difficult. The secret to attracting many species to your yard and being able to watch the lifecycle is to plant "host" and "nectar" plants. Host plants are those which butterflies lay their eggs on and the caterpillars eat. Nectar plants are those which the butterflies use to derive energy.
The best, in my opinion, nectar plant is the butterfly bush, or buddleia. They come in many colors, are hardy and irresistible to butterflies. Here in VA, they bloom from June through September. I cut mine back to about 18 inches each March, since they bloom on new wood. Mine get to be about 6 feet tall. Keeping them deadheaded throughout the summer will keep them blooming and producing more flowers. In some places they are regarded as being invasive, but if I see one coming up where I don't want it, I merely dig it up and move it to another place. Buddleias do best in full sun, but don't require much care. I don't water mine and they seem to thrive, even with our hot and dry summers.

Butterfly farming is "green"

Raising butterflies is definitely a "green" thing to do. Those who raise and release butterflies are helping the environment. Next to bees, butterflies are very important pollinators. With all the focus on the mysterious illnesses that are contributing to the deaths of hives, we may want to consider and encourage the release of butterflies. Other pollinators include bats, hummingbirds, moths and other insects. Butterfly farming is the only industry that raises "livestock" solely for the purpose of letting it go free.

My favorite butterfly

My favorite butterfly is the Zebra Swallowtail. To me it is one of the most beautiful, etheral butterflies flying. I haven't been too successful in attracting them to my yard (yet), but I did see two different ones nectaring this year. I have a few small pawpaw trees in pots that I kept near my butterfly garden, but I didn't see any ZS eggs. I will order a few more pawpaws this coming spring in hopes of attracting them. Pawpaw leaves are the only plant that the caterpillars will eat. I've heard the pawpaw fruit is also very good.

More on butterflies

Butterflies are always on my mind. I raise about 8 different species during the spring, summer and fall months. Those species I've raised include monarchs, painted ladies, black swallowtails, giant swallowtails, variegated fritillaries, red admirals, spicebush swallowtails, and gulf fritillaries. I ship most of these species to other states or within my own state overnight. People release them as part of their special celebrations. Funerals, memorials, weddings, receptions, birthday parties, anniversaries are just some of the events where a butterfly release is appropriate.
I also teach butterfly gardening classes. I have a butterfly garden in my yard that attracts many different species. Right now, it's looking pretty sad since we've had several frosts already. I leave all the plants in place during the winter so the birds can forage on the seeds and berries.

We love butterflies!

Halloween, 2007
Do you still have butterflies flying in your yard? After several frosts, I am still seeing a few monarchs flying southward. Here in Virginia, there are still sulphurs, cabbage whites, some skippers and variegated fritillaries. This is the latest I've ever seen these species here. Last week I even saw my first long-tailed skipper.