r/Butterflies Jul 27 '25

New Rule: We will no longer allow posts about raising butterflies in captivity.

246 Upvotes

This includes grow kits, raising butterflies in tents or enclosures, and buying/sourcing caterpillars.

This rule is in line with this subreddit’s guiding principle that we always do and choose what is best for the butterfly! Research shows that human interaction and interference with butterflies, especially at the pupal stages, is more harmful than helpful.

Going forward, pictures of butterflies in tent or other small enclosures will be removed. Posts asking for advice on how to “raise” or “rear” butterflies or caterpillars will be removed. Posts asking for how to find eggs will be removed.

Native gardening is always the best way to attract and maintain a healthy butterfly population—no matter the species!

Thank you, Glittering


r/Butterflies Jul 26 '25

New Rule: No More “Helping” Injured Butterfly Posts

79 Upvotes

We have seen an uptick in posts from people wanting advice on how to assist “injured” butterflies.

The truth in every case is—you can’t. Butterflies have naturally very short lives and there is no proven or “good” way to prolong their lives.

I have even seen some posts of people wanting to horrifically cut butterflies’ wings in some cases. Other posts seem well intentioned, but they are becoming a nuisance.

These posts will now be removed.

Thank you, Glittering


r/Butterflies 7h ago

Butterfly in my butterfly bush

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198 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 9h ago

A beautiful swallowtail in Barcelona

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115 Upvotes

There were actually two of them but they didn't rest for long.


r/Butterflies 5h ago

Eastern Giant Swallowtail

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45 Upvotes

first time I've seen one of these. wandered around my yard all morning


r/Butterflies 6h ago

Admiral's cloak in for a visit

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34 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 1h ago

Can anyone ID?

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Upvotes

Im in Montréal Canada.


r/Butterflies 5h ago

A Monarch.

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19 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 12h ago

Brimstone

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60 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 9h ago

i found it in my garden.

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22 Upvotes

Still intact


r/Butterflies 3h ago

Thought you’d like to see some of my butterfly pics from Pennsylvania

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5 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 18m ago

Take off

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Upvotes

r/Butterflies 8h ago

[REQUEST] Seen in San Francisco, halfway out of its cocoon

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12 Upvotes

Which beauty is this? I have not touched it, but should I help it leave the cocoon? It seemed to be stuck.


r/Butterflies 5h ago

[OC] Tailed Jay butterfy

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9 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 1d ago

Blue moon in my garden!

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422 Upvotes

I love how they just are so friendly with humans!


r/Butterflies 1d ago

Swallowtail in the garden today

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217 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 11h ago

Just because 🥰

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10 Upvotes

I love monarch season in Ohio 🥰


r/Butterflies 2h ago

something ate a chrysalis and 2 caterpillars😔

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2 Upvotes

Papilio zelicaon pupated yesterday morning, woke up to the chrysalis gone, as well as another 4th instar cat munching on the same parsley patch.

another 4th instar monarch was happy yesterday, also gone, though he might be hiding for now.

should i protect the Papilio chrysalids? is it most likely rodents or birds?

i know it's all part of nature, just sad to see them gone


r/Butterflies 21h ago

Found these two zebras having a conversation in the garden 🫣

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66 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 46m ago

Does anybody know what species?

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Upvotes

For additional info I found this butterfly in Arkansas if that helps.


r/Butterflies 47m ago

What is this?

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I'm in Pennsylvania and this little fella landed on me. I tried to Google search and it came back as "Potanthus omaha" which is not supposed to be from this area. Any ideas. Is that right?


r/Butterflies 1d ago

An Eastern Tailed Blue.

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74 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 1d ago

Gorgeous friend visited this morning in SE WI.

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100 Upvotes

r/Butterflies 1d ago

Spicebush Swallowtail

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1.6k Upvotes

r/Butterflies 1d ago

Our first monarch butterfly! I'm beyond excited that he decided to visit our little garden. (North Carolina)

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56 Upvotes