Create sustainable income while protecting biodiversity by breeding native butterflies for export, transforming rural communities through hands-on conservation that generates economic opportunities and preserves local ecosystems.
The Mariposas de Esperanza project originated from Mariposario Cerro La Vieja in Panama as an ecotourism and educational initiative promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable community development. It emerged specifically to protect native butterfly species threatened by deforestation and habitat loss whilst generating community income.
Participant Jaime Navarro reports that butterfly production has enabled him "to be a support, inspiration and entrepreneur for the family in improving the economy." The programme prioritises local biodiversity knowledge, focusing on butterflies already present in participants' gardens, yards, or orchards.
The breeding cycle spans 4-6 weeks from egg to chrysalis, with caterpillars feeding continuously on host plants before forming pupae. Many host plants are commonly dismissed as "weeds" but serve crucial ecological functions. The project reframes these plants as valuable "host plants" essential for butterfly reproduction.
Butterflies are exported for exhibitions, conservation projects, education, and eco-tourism. The initiative creates controlled, environmentally friendly breeding conditions that support both species conservation and economic empowerment in high-biodiversity areas.
How to get involved
Time:
2-4 hours a day. At first we will go a little slow until the host plants grow enough to feed the butterfly caterpillars. Then it's time for daily maintenance, feeding the caterpillars until in a month they become pupae or chrysalises that you can export with our help or sell at local butterfly exhibitions.
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