Idlewild Butterfly Farm

Idlewild Butterfly Farm Butterflies for Exhibit and Education, Beneficial Insects for Yard & Garden, Butterfly Garden Plants,
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Idlewild Butterfly Farm is based out of Louisville, Kentucky, and was born of a lifelong passion for insects and the natural world. We focus on sustainable and ecologically-friendly practices such as butterfly garden cultivation and the use of beneficial insects for pest control. With the expertise of our staff of entomologists, we breed and rear our own stocks of Kentucky native butterflies. Thes

e butterflies are available to the consumer for releases at weddings, memorials, and other events, or for home and classroom projects. We are a USDA inspected and licensed facility, which allows us to house a collection of live exotic insects from around the globe. Visitors are welcome to view these fascinating creatures but are also encouraged to handle the insects. A tour of the Idlewild Butterfly Farm insectarium is a hands-on experience and a source of wonder for children and adults alike. We are also committed to promoting sustainable and ecologically-friendly agricultural practices. The plants we sell are grown with the use of beneficial insects, never touched by insecticides, which is crucial for their inclusion in a butterfly garden. We are also experienced in pest identification and working with the consumer to address their pest problems with beneficial insects and other biological control agents. Finally, our storefront in a historic building near Old Louisville is host to specially selected and curated gifts, art, and accessories. The bulk of our inventory is made in America, and we feature wares by local artists and craftspeople - everything from jewelry, to blown glass, to soaps and candles, to handmade insect display boxes.

06/23/2026

An easy way to attract pollinators to your yard/garden is allowing herbs to flower! These tiny neactaries provide a much needed pollen source to pollinators and other beneficials!

Today is the beginning of and we wanted to share pictures of Pawpaw and Buttonbush from our garden. The semicircles in...
06/22/2026

Today is the beginning of and we wanted to share pictures of Pawpaw and Buttonbush from our garden. The semicircles in the leaves are created by female bees. Leafcutter bees are non-aggressive, solitary pollinators who are highly effective at pollinating flowers, fruits, and veggies. The semicircles are used as nesting material for their young. Leaf cutters collect pollen on their fuzzy bellies that easily falls off onto different flowers. Do you have leaf cutters in your garden?

06/22/2026

Everyone back at the hill is going to be super impressed!

Louisville lost a giant in journalism. James Bruggers was a genius at putting complex environmental issues into terms ev...
06/18/2026

Louisville lost a giant in journalism. James Bruggers was a genius at putting complex environmental issues into terms everyone could understand. He will be greatly missed.

James Bruggers, whose decades of environmental reporting in Kentucky and beyond helped win cleaner air and cleaner water, is dead at 68.

Green Lacewing eggs are back in stock!
06/12/2026

Green Lacewing eggs are back in stock!

It’s been chaotic at Idlewild, but we are almost to the finish line with the new caterpillar lab!
06/10/2026

It’s been chaotic at Idlewild, but we are almost to the finish line with the new caterpillar lab!

A few baskets remain online to purchase for Mother’s Day, get your order in. SO MANY Zinnias, Gomphrena, Strawflowers, M...
05/06/2026

A few baskets remain online to purchase for Mother’s Day, get your order in.

SO MANY Zinnias, Gomphrena, Strawflowers, Mexican Sunflowers and more! These cutting varieties are a great addition to your pollinator/butterfly garden.
Milkweeds and other natives for butterflies are also in stock.

$2 veggie plants! 🍅 🌶️ 🫑

Red admiral pupa kits are also available.

Lacewings and Beneficial nematodes will also be in stock for Saturday.

04/24/2026

Many butterfly visitors to our plants today, especially Pipevine Swallowtails!

Zinnias, compact Genovese Basil, Corn Poppy, Cosmos, Butterflyweed, MI Lily, Indian Pink, and so much more!

04/22/2026

Everyday is Earth 🌎 Day.

One of our Cercropid moths called a wild male to her early this morning. ❤️

Address

1100 Logan Street
Louisville, KY
40204

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