When planning a butterfly release for your wedding or other special occasion, many couples don’t realize that there are only nine butterflies that are allowed to be shipped across US state lines, and not all nine of those butterflies are allowed to be shipped into every state. The USDA requires butterfly farmers obtain permits to ship butterflies across state lines. So, how do you choose the right butterfly for your location? First, check out my chart outlining shipping locations in the USA: USDA Butterfly Shipping Chart
The only species of butterfly allowed to be shipped across state lines are Monarchs, Painted Ladies, Black Swallowtails, Giant Swallowtails, Red Admirals, Zebra Longwings, American Painted Ladies, Mourning Cloak, and Gulf Fritillaries. You can check which butterflies are allowed to be shipped into your state using the chart above. The Monarch and the Painted Lady butterflies are the two most popular butterflies for release.
The Monarch Butterfly is probably the most recognized butterfly. It is able to be shipped to almost every state. Its grace and beauty make it an excellent choice for a release butterfly. Its vibrant orange and black colors, along with its larger size, help it to stand out when released. They are able to be released in temperatures as low as 60 degrees.
The Painted Lady butterfly is a smaller butterfly. Many people may remember this butterfly from school days when they learned about metamorphosis and raised them in the classroom. It is a cheerful butterfly, with its patchwork of black, orange and white. It is best to make sure that the temperatures are at least 70 degrees or warmer when releasing these butterflies.
To ensure availability, make sure you reserve your butterflies at least 4 to 6 weeks before your wedding!
If you have questions, or comments about butterfly release go ahead and post them and I’ll be happy to help.
