BUTTERFLY WEDDINGS
What you need to know?
What do we do for you?
How to order?
Butterflies available?
Butterfly Prices?
Breeding Process?
Relocation
Code of Conduct

COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES
Collections
Research
Plates & Descriptions
Books
Excursions

BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY
Starting a new butterfly farm?
What's the process?
Is it profitable?
Indigenous vs. exotics?
Courses

BREEDING BUTTERFLIES
Breeding butterflies 4 weddings
What Butterflies?
Symbiotic relationships
Breeding methods?
School breeding projects
Courses

BUTTERFLY HOST PLANTS
Nurseries
Garden services
Local communities
What plants do I need?
Where do I get these plants?
What value do plants have?
How do I care for these plants?

BUTTERFLY ARTS and CRAFTS
Decor

Some common type locality plants

Tementosa

Separia spp.

Maerua reflexa

Albizia adanthifilia

Ascleapia fruiticoza

Maraea rosemanoides

South African Butterfly Breeding Association (SABBA)
A section 21 Company. Registration No.2005/035553/08. P. O. Box 599, Ramsgate, 4285.
Tel: (039) 314 9307. Fax: (039)0314 9996. Cell: 074 4225 587.
Websites: (1) www.sabutterflies.co.za (2) www.butterflyweddings.co.za
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Host Plants

The South African Butterfly Breeding Association (SABBA), provides individuals and conservation groups and enthusiasts with the following recommendations:  The proposal of nurseries; The involvement of garden services; The starting of awareness programs of the environment of your local communities; A program to enrich the local environment.

Nurseries

Nurseries for plants is essential and is one of the main "first" businesses, that should be implemented in a local community or area, providing many indigenous trees, grasses, shrubs, vines, creepers and flowers for moths and butterflies. Once established, only then can it become a consideration for any form of "butterfly business" in the area to be implemented. Without such a nursery, any form of "butterfly business" is out of the question. Especially for a large population of captivity bred butterflies to be released from schools as school projects, confetti at weddings, birthday parties or for any business or social function. Many individuals have started "private nurseries" in their areas which provide them an income from local "garden services" and butterfly gardening enthusiasts.

Garden Services
Nurseries should encourage all local "garden services" to help their clients invest in indigenous plants. This will enhance their garden to accommodate various species endemic to their areas. Maybe then one day, to the surprise of the locals, butterflies, birds and even smaller mammal species would be seen again in the neighborhood. This is the beginning of replacing what our communities have been loosing for centuaries.

The Local Communities

The local community have a big role to play, in getting the environment of their local area's to take notice of this desperate situation. Enhancing indigenous vegetation and trees is the "first step" in developing the environment. That is the practical solution that sets the symbiotic relationships between the environment, its related species and forming an ecosystem that will enrich the area and its community. It takes an awareness of these facts to re-establish our environment with a dedication to develop the natural habitation. Therefore the need for relocation of natural vegetation, endemic species and the propagation of these related species will bring back our natural resources. The benefit is that property values will increase, and the local environment will begin to look better.

Dogwart - Layman butterfly host plant

Bringing back the environment
By releasing butterflies at a wedding, a funeral, birthday party or a business function, makes others aware of butterflies or moths. By collecting and breeding butterflies, the scientific community is able to provide expert advice. By acquiring indigenous vegetating and plants for homes and gardens will evolve the environment and increase species development. Such is the development of our local communities, to choose between making or breaking our ecosystems for better or worse.  What would God do and where do I stand? Yes?

What plants do I need? (For breeding butterflies in captivity or in the local environment))
The plants needed to breed butterflies is essentially indigenous vegetation, plants, flowers and trees. This list would be made specifically for the moths and butterfly species that you wish to breed, which is combined with the feeding flowers and natural habitat required. Using plants for specific insect species can create a natural habitat in which they would reside. Taking into consideration that these species do naturally occur in the locality you reside in. Courses are provided for the breeding of both butterflies and moths bred in captivity or in the created environment or natural habitats. Email: butterfly-hostplants@sabba.co.za for a detailed list of moth or butterfly species and host plant lists for your area. A charge of R50.00 is charged per locality list. Payment is made to CBISA directly. Name of Bank account holder: Conservation of Butterflies in South Africa (CBISA), Name of bank: First National Bank, Bank account no. 62115503519, Branch code: 220128. Please fax a copy of your payment to SABBA: Fax no: (039) 314 9996 or email your proof of payment to butterfly-hostplants@sabba.co.za. Please use your name as a reference.

Where do I get these plants?
All nurseries should be able to provide general information and host plant lists. However, it is alarming to establish that very few nurseries have any idea of what you are talking about. Many of these plants can be bought directly from individual plant propagators. Email: butterfly-hostplants@sabba.co.za for a detailed list of moth or butterfly host plant propagators. A charge of R50.00 is charged per locality list. Payment is made to CBISA directly. Name of Bank account holder: Conservation of Butterflies in South Africa (CBISA), Name of bank: First National Bank, Bank account no. 62115503519, Branch code: 220128. Please fax a copy of your payment to SABBA: Fax no: (039) 314 9996 or email your proof of payment to butterfly-hostplants@sabba.co.za. Please use your name as a reference.

What value do  plants have?
Many plants are rather expensive, due to the availability  and durability of plants provided by propagators. The price of individual plants can range from R20.00 e.g. Asclepia fruiticosa (common name; old mans balls) to as much as R5 000.00 e.g. Mareua reflexa. Many of the more expensive plants are fairly rare, hard to propagate or hard woods.

How do I care for these plants?
Caring for your host plants is just the same as caring for a good investment. By purchasing indigenous plants, whether you are a butterfly, moth or beetle enthusiast or not, is an investment you make in conserving an indigenous plant for future generations to see and appreciate. All indigenous trees are protected according to the NEMA act of 2004 and may not be removed from any property. Unless the tree becomes a danger to property or the health of individuals. Then a permit must be obtained from your local municipality environmental officer or from your local wildlife conservation offer. A book called "Bringing Butterflies to you garden - the right way" written by E. Whiteley, 2006 is available at a charge of R250.00 including postage. Email your order to book-shop@sabba.co.za.  Please use your name as a reference.

Private nurseries
Many private nurseries are started every year by individuals who care for the environment. A few gardening bags, seedlings and plants, starts a person off with a "private nursery". Plants can be obtained from them easily by emailing butterfly-hostplants@sabba.co.za and we will give you a list of "private nurseries" in your area.