Costa Rica’s Butterfly Industry
- inquiries800
- Jun 30
- 1 min read
Costa Rica has quietly become the world’s leading exporter of live butterflies, shipping nearly half a million pupae each year to exhibitions around the globe. What started in the 1980s as a conservation effort to reforest the country has blossomed into a sustainable, community-powered industry. Small-scale butterfly farms not only helped regenerate forests but now provide steady, eco-friendly income for local families—many of whom raise butterflies in their own backyards using native plants. These vibrant butterflies end up in museums and butterfly houses worldwide, inspiring visitors to protect pollinators by planting gardens and avoiding harmful pesticides. From rainforests to exhibit halls, this tiny creature is making a big global impact.
Image via CNN
Read other stories from the 6/30/25 newsletter:
Comments