The number in the United States is increasing. Three years ago, only Butterfly World in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., publicly displayed large quantities of butterflies. Now there are at least six -including the San Diego Wild Animal Park's Butterfly Encounter, which opened earlier this month and continues through September 7. Park officials say public response has been unexpectedly enthusiastic and that the exhibit, originally built only for hummingbirds, will annually feature butterflies, both native and imported tropical species. And officials are considering the possibility of building a permanent year-round butterfly house.
Butterflies are incredibly popular.
Butterflies aren't free The beauty of butterflies, of course, means money for farmers. Captive-bred Costa Rican butterflies sell for one or two dollars each, a significant amount to most Third World inhabitants. What works in Papua New Guinea won't work in the United States. Some tropical species, on the other hand, mean big bucks. The birdwings' market value has proved to be a curse, however.