How to check total costs including shipping and taxes for your order
February 9, 2024
How to order a Caterpillar – Build a Painted Lady Raising Kit
February 8, 2024
Painted Lady Butterflies: A Heartwarming Journey Awaits
January 24, 2024
Original price was: $ 11.99.$ 9.99Current price is: $ 9.99. Per Butterfly
The thistle butterfly, commonly known as the painted lady butterfly, will add a vibrant touch to any event when released. Featuring wings with a striking combination of brown, orange, and a white spot on the black forewing, complemented by hues of brown and gray, they are a captivating sight. To learn more about the ordering procedure, click here.
Expedited, XpressPost and Priority Shipping
Tracking Included with Canada Post
Postal Insurance with Canada Post
Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature with our Painted Lady Butterflies for release. Whether you’re planning a magical wedding, a heartwarming memorial, or a captivating educational event, these delicate winged wonders add a touch of elegance and charm to any occasion. Our Painted Lady Butterflies are carefully raised and nurtured to perfection, ensuring vibrant colors and graceful flight. As you explore our shop, discover the joy of releasing these captivating creatures, creating unforgettable moments that will be cherished for a lifetime. Embrace the enchantment of nature with Monarch Butterflies – where every flutter brings a sense of wonder and celebration.
The Painted Lady Butterflies (Thistle Butterfly) For Release includes:
Optional: Small or Large Mesh Cage (For Viewing the butterflies in the net cage which can also be used for Mass Release)
Helpful Links:
Ordering: The typical growth cycle for painted lady butterflies is a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks with months of preparation to prepare butterflies for release for each order. Last minute orders are possible based on availability on a short notice
Our team requires a minimum 6 to 8 weeks to raise butterflies, plus pre-planning, production of food and sustenance for the insects, appropriate staffing, and other variables. We also conduct thorough testing to ensure all butterflies are disease free and healthy. In all circumstances, we are working with a limited supply. For orders placed within less than 6 to 8 weeks to the delivery day, it is sometimes difficult for our team to fulfil, however, we prepare extra butterflies and most often can satisfy the order.
If at the time of ordering less than 6 to 8 weeks to the delivery date or the weather does not permit a specific butterfly release, or we don’t believe we are able to fulfil the order, we will attempt to source insects from another farmer to ensure there are butterflies for your event. However, other butterfly farmers face the same availability issues as we do, so it is not always guaranteed they will be able to assist us.
We will use all available resources to fulfil your order and provide butterflies for your event, however, for orders placed within less than 6 to 8 weeks to the delivery date, there is no guarantee the order will be fulfilled. In the case of monarch butterfly orders, if we do not have sufficient quantities, we will substitute with painted lady butterflies of the same value.
If the event we cannot satisfy your order, we proceed with the following solutions:
Reschedule your order for a future delivery date;
Provide you with caterpillars to raise as butterflies to then release them for the same value as your order
If we believe that shipping your butterflies will not be safe and there may be risks with the delivery (pandemic shipping delays, forest fires in your area, local or global shipping delays, etc.) we reserve the right to cancel your order: the safety of the insects comes first.
All orders placed within less than 6 to 8 weeks to the delivery date will be satisfied in the priority they were placed and paid. Your spot on the priority list is secured when you place and pay for your order.
When placing a last minute order, we understand you may have a lot of questions, however, due to the time constraints to fill your order, we may not be able to provide fulsome answers to your questions, or be able to answer your questions at all before your order is complete. Our FAQ and blog answer most of the questions we receive.
We always encourage you to place your order more than 6 weeks in advance, however, we understand that is not always possible. In fairness, it is not always possible for our team of butterfly enthusiasts to fulfil orders placed within less than 6 to 8 weeks to the delivery date. We are unable to guarantee exact arrival dates if the order is not placed well in advance based on various factors. We will do our best to accommodate your release date, in the event that you wish to cancel your order as we may not be able to meet your accommodation, please let us know at least 72 hours in advance and a team member will email your all options that are currently available.
Nothing brings us more joy than to share these majestic creatures with you, and we work tirelessly to ensure that happens. We want to thank you for considering us and are mindful of how important your butterfly release is and the feelings attached to it. However, we want to be fully transparent regarding the rare occasions we are unable to fulfil your butterfly order.
If you have questions or concerns, we would be delighted to address them. Further information can be found on our FAQ Page and Online Blog, and we encourage you to read more information on the butterfly metamorphosis process and their importance to the ecological system.
The season for shipping butterflies runs from May-September, weather and season permitting. We are only able to ship butterflies in this window of time, as they are naturally found in the wild in the same time period. All butterflies are individually packaged for safe shipping. These butterflies are shipped in dark cool containers that naturally mimic the conditions for butterflies to be in a hibernation-like state. For pictures and videos of how we safely package your butterflies for release, please visit our Online Blog and FAQ Page.
All shipments are made through Canada Post or as otherwise notified 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, your updated mailing address, at a safe drop location, your mail forwarding, in a community mailbox, tag it for pickup at your local post office, or otherwise. 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 as not all requests may be accommodated by Canada Post.
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.
All of our packages are shipped with Expedited, XpressPost or Priority shipping including a tracking number and standard $100 postal insurance through Canada Post. Postal insurance is included on all orders and any claims for damage or lost packages should be made to Canada Post. For full details on Canada Post delivery terms and conditions, please visit www.canadapost-postescanada.ca
To learn more about about our shipping policies in details please visit https://monarchbutterflies.ca/about-us/shipping-policy/
Although we like as much advance notice as possible for orders, we can often accommodate short notice orders, although there is no guarantee we will have butterflies ready to ship at all times. It is our joy to share this experience with you, but there are many factors that may prevent short notice orders, such as environment, climate, shipping delays and duration.
Once your order is placed to reserve your butterflies, a team member will contact you via email to discuss the options available. If the options as presented will not meet your needs, we will provide a refund. Each order is carefully packaged, requiring a substantial amount of effort and time. We do our best to have ample butterflies available, but it is first come first serve for what we have on hand ready to ship. To learn more about the process of raising, caring, and releasing butterflies, please visit our FAQ Page and Blog Posts for detailed information. If there is something you’d like to add, please let us know at info@monarchbutterflies.ca and we’ll be sure to add it.
Shipping/Release/Feeding and More:
Depending on the notice provided with your order on how well in advance it is placed and paid for, we aim to ship your order in advance if possible. Generally, we only ship orders on Monday or the next business day, as we are unable to ship during holidays and weekends. The butterflies generally arrive in a single envelope for release or one glassine envelope containing two butterflies. Based on the notice provided and availability, we generally aim to fulfill all orders with one butterfly per envelope for safe shipping.
For all butterfly orders, we recommend selecting Priority shipping for the shortest shipping timeline. Alternatively, you can choose XpressPost shipping and select the guarantee of livestock. Choosing any other shipping option may result in lengthy transit times, and without the guarantee of livestock, although uncommon, the insects may perish, and we are unable to offer credit, refunds, or replacements. We urge you to select the quickest shipping duration possible for the safe and prompt arrival of your butterflies.
Once your butterflies arrive, within 48 hours of shipping from any of our locations, we recommend releasing them in an enclosure and feeding them. These instructions are part of the release process and care guidelines to ensure the well-being of your butterflies. Please note that this may result in a mass release of butterflies. While we aim to accommodate individual releases, this is not always possible due to feeding requirements, shipping duration, schedules, methods selected, order placement timing and other variables. If you require a single release, please email our team well in advance at info@monarchbutterflies.ca to see if we can accommodate your specific request.
For mass releases, we are unable to ship all butterflies in one release container, as they must be packaged in glassine or envelopes for safe transport. Upon arrival your butterflies can be transferred to a mass release enclosure/net cage. We recommend that all orders should be placed with a net cage/enclosure. Although optional, we suggest selecting a net cage for every order as a requirement. For more information, visit our website, ordering page, blog post, helpful links, terms, and more.
If your school or organization blocks emails, consider the following steps:
Use an Alternative Email: If possible, use a personal email account that is not subject to your school’s or organization’s restrictions to communicate.
Contact IT Support: Reach out to your school or organization’s IT support team to inquire about the issue. They may be able to whitelist specific email addresses or domains.
Check Spam/Junk Folders: Sometimes, emails may be filtered into your spam or junk folder. Be sure to check there for any missed messages
Inform our Team: If you were expecting an important email, let the us know about the situation so our team members can consider alternative ways to reach you.
It is not recommended to place painted lady and monarchs in the same cage due to their different habitat preferences and dietary needs. Keeping different butterfly species together increases the risk of disease transmission and complicates their hatching, release and more, so it’s best to provide separate enclosures that cater to the specific needs of each species.
In general, the season typically begins around the end of April and lasts until late September or, in some cases, early October. The exact timing can vary depending on regional weather conditions and climate variations during the year. Additionally, the start and end of the season may differ based on the specific type of insect you are raising or releasing, your location, local availability and more. To get more detailed information, visit the ordering page on our website and check the “Shipping Time” tab.
Attempting to ship caterpillar or release butterflies outside of this seasonal window can lead to serious problems. The insects may not survive due to cold temperatures, insufficient food sources in the wild, or other environmental challenges. Our shipping for some of our services starts in April and concludes by late September or early October to align with conditions that maximize the survival and well-being of the butterflies. After this period, we cannot fulfill orders, as we prioritize the health and safety of the insects by only shipping them during suitable weather conditions and also do not operate outside these timelines and close for the season.
You will receive a tracking number once we begin the shipment process for your order. If you placed an order in advance for a future delivery date, you will not receive a tracking number until we generate the shipping label. For example, if you ordered in February for a June delivery, the tracking number will be provided closer to the June shipping timeline, not in February or shortly afterward.
Before your order ships, you’ll receive an email notification—please check your spam or junk folder if you don’t see it. To ensure you receive all updates, add our email addresses, info@monarchbutterflies.ca and noreply@monarchbutterflies.ca, to your contacts. Tracking details will follow once your order is in transit.
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.
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.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to ship our butterfly kits or butterflies for release outside the time frames listed on our ordering page. For complete details, please refer to the “Shipping Time” tab on each product page. Shipping times are subject to availability, weather, and seasonal factors, and we’re unable to accommodate exceptions once our season has concluded or availability is limited. Please note that we are unable to ship between late October and early April. (This timeframe may vary by kit or product; please review the “Shipping Time” tab for specifics, as no exceptions can be made.) However, you are welcome to place an order in advance for the available shipping periods listed on each product’s ordering page.
Please see our blog post for more details: Warm Weather & Cold Weather Release
Please see our blog post for that goes over this information in detail: How to Feed your Butterflies: A Simple Guide
Please find a direct link to our Blog Post for full the full instructions: Transfer of Butterflies for Mass Release
No, we do not offer any other insects besides monarchs and painted ladies. Our focus is on providing experiences centered around these two beautiful butterfly species. We take pride in offering monarch and painted lady butterfly kits, as well butterflies for release including various related products and services to enhance your butterfly-raising and releasing experiences.
Monarchs and painted ladies are popular choices due to their accessibility, adaptability, and significance in butterfly conservation efforts. Both species are known for their fascinating life cycles, captivating colors, and their ability to bring joy and wonder to people of all ages.
We currently operate as an online store and do not offer orders for pick up. All orders must be placed through our secure online platform on our website.
Our seamless online ordering process allows you to browse through our diverse range of butterfly-related products, including live butterflies for release, butterfly rearing kits, butterfly frames and more. Once you have selected the items you desire, simply add them to your cart and proceed to checkout.
During checkout, you will provide your shipping address, and we will take care of the rest. We entrust the reliable services of Canada Post to ship your order directly to your designated location, ensuring safe and timely delivery.
We understand that some customers may prefer to pick up their orders in person for various reasons. However, at this time, we are unable to make an exception to our shipping policy, as it enables us to efficiently serve customers across different regions.
Feeding adult butterflies is an essential aspect of butterfly care, especially if you are raising them in a butterfly net cage or habitat. Adult butterflies primarily feed on nectar, which provides them with the necessary energy and nutrients for their activities and survival.
Here are some options for feeding adult butterflies:
It’s essential to regularly provide fresh and clean food sources for the butterflies to maintain their health and well-being. Ensure that any food or flowers you offer are free from chemicals and predators to prevent harm to the butterflies.
Releasing butterflies in unfavorable weather conditions, such as rain or cold temperatures, can be concerning for their well-being. It’s essential to consider the safety of the butterflies before releasing them. Here are some guidelines for releasing butterflies during adverse weather:
1. Rainy Weather:
2. Cold Temperatures:
3. Butterfly Habitat or Enclosure:
Releasing butterflies individually is a wonderful and memorable experience. Our butterflies come individually packaged for safe shipping and transport, making it easy to release them one at a time.
What is the process for a single butterfly release?
Here are the steps to do a single butterfly release:
We have extensive information available on our blog to guide you through various aspects of butterfly releases, including cold weather release, warm weather release, mass release, feeding, caring, storing, and more.
For detailed instructions and helpful tips on organizing a successful mass butterfly release, we encourage you to visit our blog. You will find step-by-step guides, best practices, and important considerations to ensure a memorable and responsible event.
Our blog is a valuable resource for butterfly enthusiasts and event organizers, providing comprehensive information to make your butterfly release a remarkable experience. Whether you are planning a special celebration, an educational event, or a conservation initiative, our blog posts are designed to assist you in every aspect of the butterfly release process.
All butterfly orders are shipped with Canada Post using Expedited, XpressPost or Priority shipping based on your selection. We use insulated containers with ice packs to keep the butterflies dormant (in a sleep-like state) as butterflies hibernate when they are cold and it is dark. It is the most natural, humane and safest method to ship butterflies. Please visit our blog to see more on care, release, storing your butterflies and more.
We take utmost care in ensuring the safe and humane shipping of butterflies for your order. Here’s how the butterflies arrive:
For more detailed information on caring for your butterflies, tips for a successful release, and guidance on storing butterflies, please visit our blog. We strive to provide comprehensive resources to ensure you have a positive and rewarding experience with these beautiful creatures.
We understand that caring for and releasing butterflies is a special and meaningful experience. To provide you with comprehensive guidance on this topic, we have a variety of blog posts available on our website.
Please visit our blog section, where you will find detailed information on how to care for butterflies and conduct a successful release. Our blog covers various aspects of butterfly care, including:
Butterflies for release are available during our seasonal period, which typically starts in May and continues until September each year, weather permitting.
During this period, we carefully cultivate and raise butterflies, ensuring they are healthy and ready for release. The availability of butterflies is dependent on various factors, including weather conditions and the specific species being raised. Please see the ordering page for full details.
As the season begins, we encourage you to explore our offerings and place your orders in advance to secure your preferred date for the butterfly release.
We understand that sometimes plans come together at the last minute, and we do our best to accommodate short notice orders. However, please be aware that having butterflies available for immediate shipping is subject to several factors, and we cannot guarantee their availability at all times.
Our team is committed to making your butterfly experience enjoyable and memorable, but certain circumstances such as environmental conditions, climate, and shipping delays may impact the readiness of butterflies for immediate release.
To check availability and explore options, we encourage you to place an order on our website. Once we receive your order, a team member will promptly contact you via email to discuss shipping options and availability.
If we are unable to fulfill your request due to unforeseen circumstances, we will offer alternative solutions or the option to cancel and receive a refund. Our goal is to work closely with you to find the best possible solution for your butterfly release needs.
For the best chance of securing butterflies for your desired date, we recommend placing orders in advance whenever possible. This allows us ample time to prepare and ensure a successful butterfly release for your special occasion. To learn more please visit the ordering page for full details and our process.
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