We are often asked why are our displays so expensive, after all aren’t butterflies free? Firstly, butterflies are free if you catch them yourself. Secondly, we are the most reasonably priced company in our industry.

Catching your own butterflies will always limit you to locally available species and you will be taking specimens from natural populations. If you consider that to obtain a Papilio Ulysses first you will need to take a flight to Australia, and during the season when they are available, not when it is convenient for you. Then you will need to apply for the proper permits, licenses, and permissions to collect butterflies in Australia. Next, you will need an experienced guide and enough equipment, food, and so on to last at least a month. Why a month? Because it is unlikely you will find your specimen on the first day. In fact you may not find it at all.

Lets assume that you have found your specimen, now you will need to properly dry and package it so it wont get damaged in transit back home. Next, you will need to find a professional that will mount the butterfly (which by now has cost several thousand dollars to obtain) for you in such a way that it will not be subject to attack by mold, fungus, or parasitic larvae (also adding to the expense).

If you consider that we obtain butterflies from farms and ranches throughout world, the specimen quality is much greater than you can obtain from wild stocks. Also, consider the cost and time of mounting these specimens in acrylic. After all this you may realize:
1. Butterflies are not free at all,
2. These displays don’t seem so expensive.