No, as long as your have a clean and suitable net cage you do not need to order one. As indicated on our website the option of adding a net cage is optional.

Not necessarily. Caterpillars can vary in size due to several factors, including their age, species, and individual growth rates. Smaller caterpillars may be younger or in an earlier instar stage, while larger ones are typically older or in a later instar stage.

If you notice that a caterpillar is smaller than others, it does not mean it is dead. To check for signs of life, look for movement, feeding activity, or changes in posture. If a caterpillar is inactive for an extended period, it may be resting or preparing to molt. If you’re concerned about a specific caterpillar simply email our team info@monarchbutterflies.ca with clear images to best assist you.

All shipments are made through Canada Post and shipped to the address provided, however, they may choose, at their discretion, to leave your package at your front door, a side door, with a concierge, at a safe drop location, in a community mailbox, your updated mailing address or tag it for pickup at your local post office. Although we wish they can hand-deliver every package, it is out of our control. Please ensure you provide the most accurate postal address and any special instructions if needed.

In the past, we’ve used other courier and delivery services, and our experience has been that Canada Post takes the most care when handling our packages. After years of service, we developed a relationship with Canada Post as they are aware of the contents of our packages and use special handling with every delivery.

Please refrain from discarding your insects, as the caterpillars may be undergoing an instar and shedding their skin. During this time, they may not exhibit any movement. If you have questions or concerns, please email our team at info@monarchbutterflies.ca with clear images and your inquiries, so we can review your concerns and provide the best assistance. It is common for people to assume that insects have perished when, in fact, they are still healthy and thriving during the instar process. By emailing our team we can review your concerns and best assist you further.

To proceed, please place a new order and select your desired payment method during the checkout process. Note that we are unable to send direct payment requests; therefore, a new order must be created to accommodate your payment preferences.

To learn more about our services and products, please visit the ordering page for the specific service or product you are interested in, as it contains a wealth of information. Here, you can find an FAQ section, detailed descriptions, helpful links, and much more. We encourage you to review this information to better understand our offerings.

To make changes to your order, please email our team with your order information at info@monarchbutterflies.ca. please note that all changes must be requested via email and cannot be processed over the phone. Once your request is received, a team member will respond accordingly to assist you further.

If any specials are available, you can find them directly on our website. Otherwise, we recommend signing up for our newsletter to receive the latest coupons, discounts, and promotions.

We are unable to provide shipping costs or rates via email or phone as they will vary based on your selections. Our team members via email or over the phone will provide you the following to best assist you.

To check shipping costs, including taxes and the price of the items ordered, simply add your desired items to your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. Before submitting your payment, you will see the total cost, including shipping, which may vary based on your selections, shipping region, and other factors.

When a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, it pumps a fluid called hemolymph into its wings to expand and harden them. The excess fluid that is released from their abdomen during this process is known as meconium, which is the first waste produced by the butterfly after it hatches. If the wing expansion process is interrupted or incomplete—due to factors such as falling during emergence, getting stuck in the pupa, sustaining damage to the chrysalis, or may other reasons—the wings may remain wrinkled or deformed. Unfortunately, once the wings are set, they cannot be “unwrinkled.”

In these cases if possible we recommend keeping the butterfly in the enclosure and following the feeding instructions providing extra special care for your butterfly. We also recommend reviewing our blog post “Embracing Imperfection: Life Lessons from Butterflies” One of the most profound lessons we can impart to the next generation is the acceptance and understanding of life’s imperfections. When students learn that each butterfly is unique—whether it emerges unblemished, faces challenges, or has deformities—they begin to understand the significance of acceptance and empathy. This awareness fosters a deeper appreciation for the diversity of life and encourages compassion toward others, reinforcing the idea that every being has its own journey and struggles.

The beauty of life cycles lies not only in the pristine moments of emergence and transformation but also in the acceptance and understanding of imperfection and vulnerability. Butterflies, with their fragile yet resilient existence, offer profound lessons about our own humanity. By acknowledging the challenges faced by all living beings and fostering compassion and acceptance, we can create a world that celebrates the richness of diversity and the strength that comes from embracing imperfections.

In teaching young students about the realities of life and transformation through the lens of butterflies, we prepare them to understand and accept one another. We inspire them to be compassionate and kind even in the most challenging times and to celebrate the uniqueness of each life cycle. This knowledge empowers them to keep fighting and embrace their own unique selves while extending love and understanding to others. Just like the butterflies, we are all part of the same intricate tapestry of life, and it’s our imperfections that make us beautifully unique.