Take photos of butterflies and send them to us

We always give priority to the use and knowledge of local biodiversity. You will breed the butterflies that already live in your yard, garden or orchard.

To get started, send us photos of butterflies in your area - the more the better. You can take them with your phone or camera when they are resting or feeding.

We will identify them and find out which plants they lay their eggs on. We are like butterfly detectives. Don't be surprised if some of them feed on fruit trees or plants - that's a great opportunity! You will learn how to grow fruit and raise butterflies in the same place.

Once we know which plant the butterflies you are going to breed reproduce on, we will teach you how to recognize it. You probably already know it by another name. Many are vines or bushes, and others are considered "weeds." But you will soon discover that these "weeds" are actually your best allies for breeding and preserving butterflies.

From now on, we will no longer call them weeds or weeds. We will give them their real name: host plants .

You will need to plant a lot of them, because they will be the food for the caterpillars or larvae of your butterflies. Since their function is to feed the young, it is important that you do not use herbicides or insecticides near the area where you plant them.

While the host plants are growing strong and healthy, it is time to prepare a shelter for the adult butterflies. We need an open, sunny space, protected from the wind and, preferably, on flat ground that will not flood with rain.

In this space we plant nectar plants , that is, those that produce flowers with nectar to feed adult butterflies of both sexes within the flight area.

We will define the size together, but we usually start with an area of 4 meters by 4 meters and at least 3 meters high . In the resources you will find instructions for building it, but the most important thing is to make sure that we plant enough flowers so that the butterflies have food.

 

 

We're almost there! We now have adult female butterflies ready to lay their eggs on the host plant you'll place inside the flight area. Nature is wise: the mother butterfly will know exactly which plant to leave her babies on so they can feed.

But there is a problem: the butterfly lays many eggs and cannot protect them from predators. This is where you and those who accompany you come in, because now you will be the guardians of the offspring.

Baby butterflies aren't colorful or cute. In fact, many people mistake them for worms and even believe they're poisonous. But there's nothing to fear. They have spines (which are actually soft and not poisonous), some camouflage themselves to look like bird droppings, and others even give off unpleasant odors to defend themselves.

Over the next few days, these tiny caterpillars will feed on the host plant you provide. They will eat non-stop for 4 to 6 weeks , until they grow big enough to form their pupa or chrysalis . There, the great transformation will occur: in a short time, they will emerge as adult butterflies that will fill your environment with color and magic. And you will be part of that incredible process!

It's time to say goodbye to some chrysalises. By now, you've probably grown fond of the caterpillars, pupae and adult butterflies, but don't worry: there will be plenty more in a few weeks.

A day after the chrysalises form, it's time to carefully collect them, pack them in a cardboard box with enough cotton to protect them, and send them to their new destination. In the resources we've prepared, you'll find detailed instructions on how to do it right, and we'll be with you every step of the way to support and guide you through the process.

Be proud: you have successfully bred native butterflies, you have learned about them, and you will also be able to earn an income thanks to your effort and dedication in producing pupae. Your work contributes to the conservation and beauty of the natural world!