About Glass-Framed Butterflies
Once the butterfly or moths life cycle is complete, they're collected by the butterfly farmers and placed in frames by local artisans. These frames provide fair income for the artisans and their families, and each frame is labeled by a licensed biologist in Peru with their scientific names. All the butterflies used in these frames are in the common butterfly family and are not endangered species. The frames look best when hung near natural light, but it is recommended that you keep them out of direct sunlight and moist environments.
⚡ Quick Answer
Glass-framed butterflies are real, farm-raised butterflies and moths preserved and mounted in glass frames as natural art. They come from common, non-endangered species, are collected only after their life cycle ends, and are hand-framed by local artisans in Peru — each labeled with its scientific name by a licensed biologist. Displayed near indirect natural light, they bring vivid, lasting color to any room. Scroll down to meet the species and how to care for them.
Butterflies represent transformation and happiness, bringing color to life.
Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Butterflies are easily one of the most recognizable butterflies on Earth, highly studied and famous for their color and seasonal migration. As gorgeous as these creatures are, they are actually poisonous! Bright colors in nature are usually a sign of danger, and it is no different with this butterfly. They feed on milkweed when they are caterpillars, which contain poisonous chemicals that protect themselves from predators.
Owl Butterflies
Owl Butterflies defend themselves from any predators, these owl butterflies have a special defense! The eyes on their wings are scientifically proven to scare off predators, and are found in Rainforests in Mexico, Central America, and South America. There are roughly twenty species of Owl butterflies, subdivided into 6 groups. Studies on the function and mimicry defense of these butterflies have been discussed since the 19th century, and are still in discussion to this day!
Blue Morpho & Cacica Butterflies
The Morpho Helena butterfly is a beautiful iridescent species that is found in South American rainforests, blue with a white stripe. The Cacica butterflies are similar, but most lack the staple white stripe of Helena, and have a more soft and feathered appearance. The metallic blue color you see is actually a trick of the light! Under a microscope, you can see the diamond shaped nanoscales that interfere with light, causing us to perceive the butterflies as Blue. This blue is even said to temporarily blind some animals, and can be effective in large groups that are visible from a plane!
Swallowtail Butterflies
The swallowtail butterfly can be found in North and Central America, and has a black color with gorgeous iridescent blue wings. They are most commonly found in forests and feed on plants in the carrot family, generally having a decently large wingspan. This buttery, unlike the Helena Morpho butterfly, does NOT use light scattering to create the metallic blue. The color you see is just the natural pigmentary color of the butterfly, and not a trick of the light!
Sunset Moths
These gorgeous moths are black with iridescent orange and green markings, earning the nickname of Sunset Moth! These moths share a very similar appearance to brightly colored butterflies and are usually toxic, the bright colors are signs of warning for both the Caterpillar and the adult grown moth as the caterpillars feed on a poisonous plant during the growth process.
If you love natural art that brings the outdoors in, you may also enjoy our guides to Hand-Carved Gemstone Birds, Gemstone Trees, and Natural Stone Candle Holders.
Since 2013, Rare Earth Gallery has been Arizona's most celebrated destination for natural art. Our award-winning Cave Creek gallery is home to tens of thousands of hand-selected crystals, minerals, meteorites, fossils, onyx sculptures, gemstone jewelry, and natural stone fountains — each piece chosen because nothing quite like it exists anywhere else. Visit the gallery or shop our website.
