Do you ship in the continental United States only?
We ship anywhere within the continental United States and Alaska. Because of USDA regulations, we cannot ship to Hawaii or Puerto Rico. We cannot ship to Canada or any other foreign country.
How are the butterflies packaged?
There are two packaging options - Mass Release or Origami Envelopes.
Mass Release - Butterflies are packaged loosely in a decorative box with a small flower arrangement on the box lid (we use white flowers and greenery). Up to 100 Painted Ladies or 50 Monarchs or 50 Mixed butterflies can be accommodated in one box. If you would like your order divided into additional boxes, there will be a $10 charge for each extra box to cover additional shipping and packaging costs.
Origami Envelopes - Personalized Origami Envelopes are available to those who would like their guests to participate in the butterfly release. Butterflies are packaged one per envelope for a one-time flat fee of $19, which is added to the total of your order.
We can personalize your envelopes with approximately 25 characters per line, up to 4 lines. Our customers' most common choice is to personalize their envelopes with the bride and groom's first names and the wedding date.
How are butterflies shipped?
We ship our butterflies by overnight Federal Express delivery to arrive the day before your event. Someone must be available to sign for the package. They are carefully packaged inside a cooling bag along with an ice pack. This keeps the butterflies at a lower temperature which in turn causes them to be sleepy and less active during shipping. This is no different than a cold snap in the weather for them and causes them no harm.
When your butterflies arrive, keep them in a cool, air-conditioned room or basement. If you have an order that includes Monarchs, keep them in the refrigerator. Again, this causes them no harm. In fact, it extends the total length of their lives.
1.5 to 2 hours before your event, move the butterflies from the cool area or refrigerator to an area above 70 degrees. This warms them up, and they become alert and ready to perform! Do not leave them in direct sunlight for long periods of time. It is important to avoid overheating. Warming them up under a shade tree is a great choice.
A complete set of care instructions will be included in your butterfly package.
When will the butterflies arrive?
The butterflies will arrive the day before your event by Federal Express overnight delivery. Someone MUST be available to sign for the package. Generally, delivery is anywhere from early morning until 3:00 pm. Priority delivery is available to most areas (usually by noon). You can request this earlier service, but Federal Express charges an additional $12, which we will add to your total.
If your release is on a Monday, your butterflies will arrive the Saturday before, and you will keep them in the refrigerator until 1.5 to 2 hours before release when the warm up time begins. We will provide you with your specific delivery information when you place your order.
Delivery for Tuesday releases are the hardest to plan (because FedEx is closed on Sundays). We will contact you to decide on the best plan for your situation.
A complete set of care instructions will be included in your butterfly package.
What care do the butterflies need?
Butterfly care is very simple. When your butterflies arrive, please keep them in a cool, air-conditioned room or basement. If you have an order that includes Monarchs, keep them in the refrigerator. Again, this causes them no harm. In fact, it extends the total length of their lives.
1.5 to 2 hours before your event, move the butterflies from the cool area or refrigerator to an area above 70 degrees. This will warm them up, and they will become alert and ready to perform! Do not leave them in direct sunlight for a long period of time. Warming them up under a shade tree is a great choice.
A complete set of care instructions will be included in your butterfly package.
About Butterfly releases...
Our butterflies are raised in captivity and are tamer than the butterflies you see in the wild. Often a few of the butterflies will even land on the bride's bouquet (which can be encouraged by spraying the bouquet with a sugar-water-syrup mixture) or even land on a few of the guests who are wearing brightly colored clothing. Our customers love when this happens, and it's the talk of the evening and for years to come!
Are butterfly releases seasonal?
Butterflies should be released in temperatures above 65 degrees. You should be able to release butterflies if your event date falls anytime in May through mid October. In warm southern states, butterflies can often be released even earlier and later in the year. People in Texas, Florida, and southern California can enjoy butterfly releases year-round.
What kind of butterflies are they?
We offer Painted Ladies, Monarchs, or a Mixed Bouquet (a combination of both Painted Ladies and Monarchs). Click here for details on each butterfly type and pictures.
Facts About Butterflies
Butterflies are insects. By definition, all insects possess six legs and three body segments: head, thorax, and abdomen. The three most salient features of the head are the antennae, the eyes, and the proboscis.
The antennae are used for balance in flight and olfactory sensation. Butterflies possess fragile wings. The wings can wear easily through normal use. They can also be badly damaged by predators which when attacking the butterfly grab only the wings rather than the body. Despite the loss of even the majority of their wing surface area, a butterfly will continue to be able to fly and navigate. They can do this because of the sense of balance afforded them by their antennae.
The antennae are also useful for smell. Female butterflies release pheromones (like a perfume) into the air. The male butterflies of many species can detect the pheromones from as far away as 2 kilometers (over a mile). Depending on the concentration of the pheromones, the male will be able to find the female to mate with her. It's worth noting that some species of moths are sensitive to the presence of the female's pheromones up 3 miles away.
Indian Legend about butterflies...
If anyone desires a wish to come true, they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since they make no sound, they can't tell the wish to anyone but the Creator.
Today we have chosen to keep this tradition by performing this unique form of Indian celebration.
Please come and join us in our wish!
What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
There is not a single defining characteristic that defines a moth versus a butterfly. Rather, there are a number of characteristics. The following is a list of most of the differences:
1. Butterflies fly by day, and moths fly by night. There are some day flying moths and butterflies that fly at dusk.
2. Butterflies always have a feeding mechanism (proboscis), whereas moths often do not. These moths simply do not eat as adults as they have done all their eating as larvae.
3. Butterflies rest with their wings closed, and moths land with them open. A notable exception are the butterflies of the Hamadryas genus (Nymphaliinae) that always land with their wings laid flat.
4. Butterflies form a pupae hanging. Moths form a cocoon, usually on the ground.
5. The antennae of a butterfly are straight and club-like. The antennae of a moth vary greatly but are usually brush-like with a great deal more surface area.
