Idlewild Butterfly Farm

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United States
Louisville, KY
Idlewild Butterfly Farm

Butterflies for Exhibit and Education, Beneficial Insects for Yard & Garden, Butterfly Garden Plants,
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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.

11/15/2024

December’s pinning classes are up!

Link in bio.

11/14/2024

We have 3 insect pinning classes coming up! Link in bio.

11/13/2024

Thanks to Roger for supplying us with great hardwood material for our native and exotic beetles! Roger and always help and are dads to the multi legged critters ❤️

Male and female Goliathus goliatus beetles tangled up. They do not want their pics taken today, will try again later.

planted oaks and tulip poplars in Shelby park, two great species for moths & butterflies! 🦋 ❤️

11/09/2024

It is busy for Parts and Pieces, still a great selection. Open until 4!

11/09/2024

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

11/02/2024

Calling all artists! We are cleaning out our storage of wings and pieces for your taxidermy and art projects. We will also have pinning supplies and other items for sale.

10/31/2024

Wonderful news!

10/31/2024

It wouldn’t be Halloween at Idlewild without at least one post with Betty Croaker! She came here our first Halloween from the basement at the old Joe Ley Antique Mall.

We would also like to recognize Eric Nid who walks countless numbers of people through the house . His gentle nature and love for arachnids puts visitors’ fear at ease while walking amongst hundreds of orb weavers in the exhibit. The Boo Crew does a phenomenal job every season!

We love to see everyone’s spider pics and posts! They sure are getting the adoration and appreciation they deserve.

Happy Halloween, y’all! 🕷️🕸️🎃

10/27/2024

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.

10/25/2024

Tonight is the our last evening of Creepy Things. Blake Newton will present “Dirty Pretty Things”, a look into beautiful invertebrates with dirty jobs.

Native and Exotic insects, Spiders and more!

Doors open at 7PM
$15 at the door or link in bio.

10/22/2024

Here are a few of the arachnid sketches from this evening’s class. One more Arachnid Illustration workshop on Thursday!

10/19/2024

Come visit us this evening for Creepy Things. Entomologists from UofK will be on hand and presenting “Dirty Pretty Things”, beautiful insects with dirty jobs.

Purchase tix at the door or link in bio.
$15

10/13/2024

There are 2 events coming up this week!

Join us for , a fundraiser for on October 15th. We will be there with live and dried moth/butterfly specimens and their favorite tree hosts! We will also be handing out easy to follow guides of common moths and our favorite tree hosts and stickers!

Only a few spots remain for our Arachnid Illustration class on October 16th, 6-8 PM. will guide you through the process of illustrating some beautiful arachnids with many live specimens to choose from. Hot cider will be served!

10/08/2024

Several factors can cue the migration.
1. Shortening of photoperiod (shorter days, longer nights)
2. Cooler temps
3. Senescence (aging) of milkweed

10/08/2024

New critters have arrived in time for spooky season.

First up, Nephila pilipes. This gentle giant can be found throughout East and Southeast Asia and can form webs up to 2 meters (6.5 ft). Males and females exhibit sexual size dimorphism meaning females are much larger than males.

Dragon headed katydids are a type of bush cricket who reside in tropical Asia (Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia). They have strong mandibles, you don’t want to get your fingers caught in them.

Don’t let the beauty of an Orchid mantid fool you, she mimics an orchid flower and uses her camouflage to attract pollinating insects to eat. This species also displays sexual size dimorphism with a tiny male and large female. Mantids are very photogenic, thanks to for this photo and to for helping to stabilize the insects upon arrival.

3 evening tours are coming up to see native and exotics insects and arachnids. Link in bio.

Address

1100 Logan Street
Louisville, KY
40204

Website

http://idlewildbutterflyfarm.com/

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Videos

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

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.

Insectarium tours are available this Saturday at 10 and 2! Please sign up on our website to reserve your spot!

Shortcuts

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.