Sudbury Butterfly Experience

08/28/2025

🐛❤️

07/07/2025

Nature is amazing!

We've seen some interesting things over the years, having raised and released hundreds of butterflies. Most butterflies emerge beautifully, some are imperfect... and some have... 8 wings?!

This 8 winged butterfly emerged from one of our customer's kits this week. It's definitely a first for us!

🦋

06/26/2025

Back when I first decided on a whim 5 years ago to purchase butterfly eggs for my daughter, her friends and teacher and sell a few 'extras' I was surprised by the response from other parents and teachers, who were happy to have a local source for butterfly kits. It was during Covid and we were all looking for things to do to keep us from going crazy at home, and the response was phenomenal.

I remember when our little Page hit 100 "likes" that first season, I showed my husband, incredulous that it went double digits.

I just realized today that we have now passed 900 likes and followers, and are on our way to 1000! 😱 Each year the Experience brings us new stressors and challenges but also affords us the opportunity to meet and see so many wonderful people and excited kids, and for that we are ao grateful!

Thank to all now 900-plus of you for your support and we can't wait to see what 2026 and *maybe* 1000 followers brings! 💕

🦋

06/25/2025

Have you released your butterflies yet?

If not, please do so on a clear day, preferably early in the day. That will allow the butterflies a chance to become oriented to their new outdoor environment and ensure they can find shelter from predators before nightfal.

We had one single butterfly to release this morning, a straggler from the second round!

🦋

06/23/2025

So it appears we were hacked, we lost control over all our business pages for the last few days! Thankfully we managed to get this one back! 😬

With this incredible heatwave we wanted to post a video on creating a hydration station for butterflies in your backyard! Check it out!

https://youtu.be/rZWQLGWB8zM?si=8BgQalW8LxwMlBGD

🦋

Pollinators need a water source too! Laurelle is coming to you live on location, from Nova Scotia as she visits her family! Join her and the fam as they crea...

06/12/2025

As of last evening we are officially sold out for 2025!

Thank you to everyone who came out or met us and supported us through this season.

We're now off for a family weekend away, after we declutter and reclaim our dining room table which has been occupied since April! 🐛

We remain here to answer any questions and provide resources over the next while as everyone completes their life cycles, so don't be shy. And please share your photos, we love seeing them!

🦋

06/12/2025

One of our favorite time lapses of what happens inside the chrysalis, courtesy of National Geographic!

https://youtu.be/E2d9XDn1bSg?si=vctbvsnqunZZmFAk

🦋

This footage offers a fascinating glimpse of how caterpillars change into butterflies. Graduate student Aaron Pomerantz created a window by making a small in...

06/07/2025

Thanks to all who came out to the greenhouse today to pick up a kit! It was a beautiful day and we loved seeing so many new and past customers!

Even had one special "customer" who showed up in the afternoon to say hi! 🐴

🦋

06/07/2025

Butterfly kit sale TODAY at Azilda Greenhouses

We're loaded up and ready to kick off the sale at 9am at the greenhouse!

If you are planning on coming out for a kit, we will be accepting cash and etransfer. If you are doing cash, exact cash would be very much appreciated though we do have some limited change. Etransfer email is [email protected] if you want to set up in advance.

Kits are $22

Optional items: cages $12, books and models $5.

These will be the last set of kits for 2025, so hope to see you there!

🦋

06/06/2025

Did you catch your caterpillars turning into chrysalids?

If not, check out this cool time lapse of the process!

🦋

Watch this timelapse video of a painted lady larva making its transformation into a chrysalis.Footage by Big Spin Production / iStock

06/02/2025

Questions? We want to hear them!

We have received a few questions from folks new to the experience, and we are happy to help!

If you have questions, please post them below (what better way to learn than to ask questions!), or feel free to message us!

A few recent questions:

Q- Can we release the butterflies?

A- yes! The Painted Lady is species native to our area. You can release your butterflies to be free to pollinate, reproduce and live their life outdoors. If you choose to release, it's best to do so on a nice warm sunny day, early in the day if possible so they can find shelter before night.

Q- when do I transfer them to the net cage?

A- transfer occurs when they are in chrysalis form. Wait until they are all in chrysalis, after the chrysalids have had about 24 hours to harden. Pin or tape well to the roof of the enclosure. Butterflies will emerge in about 10 days!

🦋

05/30/2025

Here we grow again!

🦋