shipping eggs, pupae and chrysalis' packaging wise

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Farfalla Butterfly Co.

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Sep 2, 2016, 5:04:50 PM9/2/16
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Hello,

I was wondering if I could get input on how people are shipping eggs, pupae and chrysalis'.  How are they being packaged for shipping and where to get any supplies I might need.  I'm getting quite a few requests.
Many thanks,

Keri
Farfalla Butterfly Co.

Steve Smith

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Sep 5, 2016, 10:02:12 AM9/5/16
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Interested in this as well.
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Steve Smith
Director of Facilities and Animal Care
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
One College Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401

New exhibit open
This way to Science Play!

Dale McClung

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Sep 5, 2016, 12:59:31 PM9/5/16
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Steve and Keri,

Eggs can be shipped either separated from the host plant or attached to the host plant. Most commonly the eggs are shipped with a small amount of host material either in a cup or baggie. Whether shipping eggs or other stages, overnight delivery is usually required.

When shipping it is important to know when eggs will eclose (hatch). Normally they will eclose in about three or four days or longer depending on the temperature. With eggs with host material, this is not so critical since the larva can feed. Whether host material can be included or not depends on how you have filed your permits.

Pupae (chrysalis' is the same thing) are shipped in a number of ways. Monarch pupae are delicate to some extent so think of them as eggs. Some ship in boxes with foam that has holes in it for the pupae. I don't know if they are available for sale anywhere these days. Ammunition boxes have been used for the same purpose, that is, monarch pupae, with, of course, the ammunition absent replaced by the pupae. Pupae can be rolled in toilet paper and boxed. I have received monarch pupae in small packets of toilet paper with five pupae in each small package. The packaging methods will be more or less proprietary to the shipper, so one method of examining the packaging is simply to buy some pupae. The method also depends on what kind of pupae are being shipped. The rolled up toilet tissue method is good for mixed pupae that are delicate like zebra longwing pupae, but not good for monarch pupae enmasse.

What I do in general is take a small box and lay in a good layer of paper toweling or cotton batting. Then put in a number of pupae so they are not too crowded and separate the layers with more paper toweling or cotton batting. The important thing is that the pupae are cushioned against impact during shipping and they are not allowed to move, that is, cushioned to stay in place. The other aspect of pupa is you must know the approximate eclosure (emergence) date. The biggest complaint on pupa is they emerge enroute in the box which is a mess.

Most of us double box. That is, a smaller box inside a bigger box with some cushioning material, bubble wrap, shredded paper, styrofoam peanuts, etc., to further absorb any shock during sorting at the shipping center, but with pupae, even with the best precautions, there can be damage and most over ship a few to compensate. It is also a very good idea to ship with ice packs to slow development and prevent exposure to heat.

Steve, tell us about the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Is there a butterfly exhibit planned? Only nine species are permitted for interstate shipment and not all are permitted for VT unless you have a USDA inspected contained facility for which you will need permits as to species allowed.

Dale

Dale McClung
Florida Monarch Butterfly Farm
http://www.floridamonarch.com
727-381-1932

Steve Smith

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Sep 5, 2016, 1:11:21 PM9/5/16
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Doug,

We are planning a temporary (9 month) butterfly exhibit. We are applying for the appropriate USDA permit, with input from Wayne Wehling as well as staff from Magic Wings in MA and Berkshire Museum, also in MA.

We plan to ship or transport only live butterflies.

Dale McClung

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Sep 5, 2016, 8:05:13 PM9/5/16
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Steve,

When you write "We plan to ship or transport only live butterflies." are you planning to rear and export or receive pupae for eclosure? Most of us consider using the term "live butterflies" as referring to adults as opposed to immatures.

Dale

Keri Wright

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Sep 6, 2016, 3:13:20 PM9/6/16
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Thanks for stepping up Dale!  Just the info I was looking for.  You are always so helpful!

Keri
Farfalla Butterfly Co.

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Steve Smith
Director of Facilities and Animal Care
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
One College Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401

New exhibit open
This way to Science Play!

What's your "one drop" today?
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Steve Smith
Director of Facilities and Animal Care
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
One College Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401

New exhibit open
This way to Science Play!

What's your "one drop" today?
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