Brinckerhoff and Sabido ship their colorful cargo to a distributor in London, who then sells the butterflies to exhibits all over Europe. Last year, the couple exported 30,000 butterflies. The butterflies are housed in large glass structures for visitors to enjoy a sight they normally wouldn't see in their northern climate. Because of the cold northern European winters, Brinckerhoff said the export business slows down considerably in December and January, when heating costs prevent most exhibits from opening. The farm takes advantage of the slow time for planting and repairs, and exports a few butterflies for distribution to warmer European climates.
Much work is required before each shipment is made.
After the eggs are laid, employees collect them and move them to the main production facility, where in about four days, they hatch into larvae, or caterpillars. Throughout its lifetime, each butterfly will feed only on one specific plant, and the female will lay her eggs only on the plant she feeds on. To maintain 60 different butterfly species, the visitors' center contains over 50 different tropical plants. While the caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the plant, adult butterflies feed on the flower nectar, rotting fruit and animal dung, and suck minerals out of water. During the dry season, the visitors' center is sprayed with water, keeping the host plants alive and encouraging the butterflies to breed.