Monarch butterflies migrate from as far as Mexico to Canada. Some tagged monarchs have traveled more than 2,000 miles in a year. These colorful insects are popular with insect collectors and butterfly houses because of their striking orange and black pattern.

Butterfly Business

When most people think of wildlife affected by illegal trade, they think of elephants, rhinos, and other large animals. Many aren’t aware that endangered insects like butterflies are also actively—and illegally —traded. But a growing number of people in tropical countries from Indonesia to Ecuador are trading butterflies in ways that are not only legal, but could even help endangered species recover.

Called butterfly farms, these businesses raise butterflies within their native forest habitat, and then export the cocoons to butterfly houses around the world. The farms provide an important incentive to preserve native forests, and the butterfly houses are a valuable resource in educating the public about butterfly conservation. Now that’s a business model that biodiversity can profit from.