Idlewild Butterfly Farm

Idlewild Butterfly Farm Butterflies for Exhibit and Education, Beneficial Insects for Yard & Garden, Butterfly Garden Plants,
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Idlewild Butterfly Farm is based out of Louisville, Kentucky, and was born of a lifelong passion for insects and the natural world. We focus on sustainable and ecologically-friendly practices such as butterfly garden cultivation and the use of beneficial insects for pest control. With the expertise of our staff of entomologists, we breed and rear our own stocks of Kentucky native butterflies. Thes

e butterflies are available to the consumer for releases at weddings, memorials, and other events, or for home and classroom projects. We are a USDA inspected and licensed facility, which allows us to house a collection of live exotic insects from around the globe. Visitors are welcome to view these fascinating creatures but are also encouraged to handle the insects. A tour of the Idlewild Butterfly Farm insectarium is a hands-on experience and a source of wonder for children and adults alike. We are also committed to promoting sustainable and ecologically-friendly agricultural practices. The plants we sell are grown with the use of beneficial insects, never touched by insecticides, which is crucial for their inclusion in a butterfly garden. We are also experienced in pest identification and working with the consumer to address their pest problems with beneficial insects and other biological control agents. Finally, our storefront in a historic building near Old Louisville is host to specially selected and curated gifts, art, and accessories. The bulk of our inventory is made in America, and we feature wares by local artists and craftspeople - everything from jewelry, to blown glass, to soaps and candles, to handmade insect display boxes.

Some cool stuff we wanted to share- the first slide is Squeaks, our male dragon headed katydid feeding on a waxworm! The...
02/22/2025

Some cool stuff we wanted to share- the first slide is Squeaks, our male dragon headed katydid feeding on a waxworm! The second slide is a baby hissing cockroach that has yet to reharden after molting!

Adam Baker presents “The Mysterious World of Pollination from the Floral Perspective” this Saturday at 10 AM. This is a ...
02/20/2025

Adam Baker presents “The Mysterious World of Pollination from the Floral Perspective” this Saturday at 10 AM. This is a great opportunity to learn the mutualistic, symbiotic relationship between plants and pollinators, and how they benefit each other.

Dr. Baker will also give examples of ‘plant this, not that’ and discuss the best planting methods for Monarch waystations and pollinators.

Link in bio for tix.

Happy Valentine’s Day! We have 2 spots that just opened up if you missed getting tix for this evening’s Orchid Mantid dr...
02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! We have 2 spots that just opened up if you missed getting tix for this evening’s Orchid Mantid drawing class. Link in bio.

❤️❤️❤️

This is important.
02/14/2025

This is important.

SB89 is being fast-tracked for a vote tomorrow morning as early as 9am in the Kentucky Senate. Nick Hart, KWA’s Policy Director, testified yesterday in front of the Natural Resources & Energy Committee, but the committee cut him off after about one minute and refused additional comments.

Call the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 to leave a message for all members of the senate to VOTE NO on SB89. The line is open from 7:00am
- 6:00pm.

If passed SB89 would remove almost all historical protections of Kentucky’s waters including groundwater that two million Kentuckians rely on for drinking water. It would remove protections for springs and streams the Kentuckians rely on or agriculture, bourbon production, outdoor recreation, and also wetlands that help reduce flood risks, filter pollutants from water sources, and store carbon.

Adam Baker, an expert in pollinator ecology and Monarch butterfly conservation, will make a stop at Idlewild to give a u...
02/12/2025

Adam Baker, an expert in pollinator ecology and Monarch butterfly conservation, will make a stop at Idlewild to give a unique presentation on the art of pollination-through the eyes of the plants themselves. His deep knowledge of pollinator behavior and conservation strategies will offer a fresh perspective on how plants and pollinators interact, shedding light on the intricate ways plants attract specific pollinators.

Link in bio.

Today we celebrate two pioneers of Entomology, Dr. Margaret S. Collins and Dr. Charles Henry Turner. Both overcame adver...
02/09/2025

Today we celebrate two pioneers of Entomology, Dr. Margaret S. Collins and Dr. Charles Henry Turner. Both overcame adversity and prejudice to make indispensable contributions to the field.

Flower has a possible suitor. ❤️ Orchid mantid females are significantly bigger than males and possess large lobes on th...
02/04/2025

Flower has a possible suitor. ❤️ Orchid mantid females are significantly bigger than males and possess large lobes on their legs that mimic petals while the males do not. Their courtship includes the male “drumming” the females back signifying his interest in pairing. He will succeed or possibly become a snack, or both.

We currently house dozens of Orchids, sign up for a tour or our Valentine’s Day Orchid drawing workshop. Link in bio.

SOLD OUT Join us this Valentine’s Day for a special drawing class with damonpaints, as we celebrate the beauty of the Or...
01/16/2025

SOLD OUT

Join us this Valentine’s Day for a special drawing class with damonpaints, as we celebrate the beauty of the Orchid mantid!
Bring your sweetie or come solo—either way, it’s the perfect way to celebrate!

Space is limited, tix in bio.

First class of the year. Adam Taylor from the Kentucky Division of Forestry will be discussing invasive plant management...
01/10/2025

First class of the year. Adam Taylor from the Kentucky Division of Forestry will be discussing invasive plant management. This class is FREE but you must sign up for it as space is limited. Link in bio.

How is everyone? We are trying to thaw out and open Saturday. The icicles are on the St. Catherine side of our building,...
01/08/2025

How is everyone? We are trying to thaw out and open Saturday. The icicles are on the St. Catherine side of our building, some of them are over 2’ in length.

Y’all be safe out there.
01/05/2025

Y’all be safe out there.

We are open today battening down the hatches in preparation for . Bugs are all cleaned and fed up just in case it’s a c...
01/04/2025

We are open today battening down the hatches in preparation for . Bugs are all cleaned and fed up just in case it’s a couple days before we can get it. We are open until 4! Y’all stay safe out there!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Here’s to another year of building and protecting insect habitats and raising awarene...
01/01/2025

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Here’s to another year of building and protecting insect habitats and raising awareness of their importance. 🐛🦋🐞🪲🕸️🕷️🦂

Lots of molting happening over here, one of our Ghost Mantids (first picture) just completed another molt, and our Orchi...
12/28/2024

Lots of molting happening over here, one of our Ghost Mantids (first picture) just completed another molt, and our Orchid Mantids just keep growing!

12/28/2024

Republished from WEKU. In Frankfort, Kentucky, Monte McGregor opens the door to what appears to be a normal three-car garage: a nondescript building on a concrete block with metal siding. But what’s inside looks like an intricate science project. And it is. The building is full of giant water tank...

We want to wish you happy holidays from the bugs here at Idlewild! We are open today and tomorrow from 11:30-4! Come see...
12/22/2024

We want to wish you happy holidays from the bugs here at Idlewild! We are open today and tomorrow from 11:30-4! Come see us!

It’s a chilly morning, so we thought we’d check in on our butterflies— a beloved butterfly here at Idlewild. These but...
12/21/2024

It’s a chilly morning, so we thought we’d check in on our butterflies— a beloved butterfly here at Idlewild. These butterflies emerged from their chrysalides this past June and, unlike most, overwinter as adults. During the colder months, they seek refuge in cracks and crevices, entering a state of torpor that allows them to survive the winter. Remarkably, they can prevent their hemolymph (the insect equivalent of blood) from freezing, enabling them to endure the cold.

Happy Winter Solstice.

Having trouble finding a gift for someone who loves bugs and butterflies? Come see us. 🦋🎄🎅🏼
12/17/2024

Having trouble finding a gift for someone who loves bugs and butterflies?
Come see us. 🦋🎄🎅🏼

Address

1100 Logan Street
Louisville, KY
40204

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Videos

Parts and pieces today! We are open from 12-4.

Undeniable grace and artistry goes into the weaving of a spider web. There is extreme care and patience behind the creation of each intricate part of the web. The golden silk orb weaver spins large webs that feature asymeyrical hoops that can stretch across distances over 2 meters. One of the seven different types of silk used to make the web also gives it a spectacular golden hue.

Golden Silk Orb male and female (male is the tiny one)!

The most unique Mother's Day bouquet, filled with live butterflies to release! Choose from fresh cut local flowers or potted plants. All orders must be placed in advance online. Don't miss out! #mothersdaygiftideas #mothersday2024 #butterflies #louisvilleky #gardenersgifts #mothersdaybouquets https://idlewildbutterflyfarm.com/collections/mothers-day

It takes patience for a ground bee video! These gentle native pollinators have been out for a couple weeks in our area.

Get creepy with us! Get your tickets now for Spooky Nighttime Tours and Kreeptucky! #idlewildbutterflyfarm #spidersofinstagram #spiders #creepy #creepythings #kreeptucky #halloween

A lush oasis in the middle of the city! We are open today from 12 to 4 and Saturday from 10 to 4.

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A Bug Business for Louisville and Beyond

Idlewild Butterfly Farm is based out of Louisville, Kentucky, and was born of a lifelong passion for insects and the natural world. We focus on sustainable and ecologically-friendly practices such as butterfly garden cultivation and the use of beneficial insects for pest control. With the expertise of our staff of entomologists, we breed and rear our own stocks of Kentucky native butterflies. These butterflies are available to the consumer for releases at weddings, memorials, and other events, or for home and classroom projects. We are a USDA inspected and licensed facility, which allows us to house a collection of live exotic insects from around the globe. Visitors are welcome to view these fascinating creatures but are also encouraged to handle the insects. A tour of the Idlewild Butterfly Farm insectarium is a hands-on experience and a source of wonder for children and adults alike. We are also committed to promoting sustainable and ecologically-friendly agricultural practices. The plants we sell are grown with the use of beneficial insects, never touched by insecticides, which is crucial for their inclusion in a butterfly garden. We are also experienced in pest identification and working with the consumer to address their pest problems with beneficial insects and other biological control agents. Finally, our storefront in a historic building near Old Louisville is host to curated gifts, art, and accessories inspired by the natural world. The bulk of our inventory is made in America, and we feature wares by local artists and craftspeople: everything from butterfly wing jewelry and handmade insect display boxes to candles, soaps, decor items, and more.