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.