Education & Exhibition

Group Events

Field Trips
We love hosting classrooms, summer camps, scout troops, garden clubs, homeschool groups, and other special-interest or community groups! Before scheduling your visit, please be aware that our facility is best suited for small to medium-sized groups, and we must currently limit groups to a maximum of 35. Public parking is available one block in each direction on Logan Street.
Visits typically begin with a tour of our fascinating Insectarium, where visitors can view insects up close, including hissing cockroaches, giant stick insects, praying mantids, and more! While it is currently under construction- don't worry! We have plenty of insects. Visitors will learn where they are from, what they eat, and how they protect themselves from predators. For more information about scheduling a visit, fill out the contact form below.
Community Events
Idlewild brings a range of events to the community each year, such as our annual Moth Ball, arachnid-themed Halloween events, Monarch migration releases, and more! The best way to stay up to date with events at Idlewild is to sign up for our newsletter.
You might also find us at various events throughout our community, such as Bernheim Forest Bugfest, Louisville Zoo Flutterfest, and many more! We provide information to curious visitors and bring along a small number of living specimens as well. We also occasionally speak at events and provide informational presentations. To learn more, please fill out the contact form below.
Workshops & Classes
We offer a wide range of workshops and classes throughout the season at Idlewild! From specialized art classes led by professional artists to insect taxidermy for beginners with entomology experts from the University of Kentucky, there is something for everyone! Our classes and workshops are typically best suited for guests aged 12 and above, and usually have about 12-15 spots available. Signing up for our newsletter is the best way to get information about our upcoming classes.

Igniting a Passion for the Planet
Through arthropod education, we bring science ALIVE in the classroom! While insects may be small, their presence on Earth is huge: with over 900,000 identified species, there are more insect species than all other animals and plants combined. It is our mission to educate people of all ages on the important role the tiniest creatures play in nature to ignite a commitment to conservation.
Good Bugs Not Drugs
To promote pollinator-friendly native habitat, we provide a variety of alternatives to pesticides. We are also experienced in pest identification and working with commercial growers and home gardeners to address their agricultural pest problems using biocontrol or “good bugs, not drugs.” Beneficial insects are available seasonally for purchase, as is the garlic-based Mosquito Barrier yard treatment.

Exhibitors & Educators

Rearing-Lab
A butterfly farm is a livestock farm like any other - our livestock just happens to be tiny! At a butterfly farm, butterflies are reared in a controlled environment and given human attention and care to produce beautiful, healthy butterflies - just like any other farm! As with other farms, our butterflies are available commercially: for live exhibits, as educational kits, or for release at special events. Butterfly farms are where butterflies in zoos, conservatories, and classrooms come from! The butterflies we raise are part of exhibits across the United States.
Exhibits
We specialize in producing butterflies native to the Eastern United States, primarily for use in exhibits at zoos, botanical gardens, and more. Our entomologists use methodical butterfly-rearing techniques to produce beautiful, healthy butterflies and have years of experience consulting on exhibit design. Let us supply your exhibit with professionally-reared, disease-free butterflies. We offer unmatched species diversity and can create a stunning package for your space. We are open to inquiries from exhibit clients and are currently accepting exhibit orders.
Release
Butterfly releases are a meaningful way to honor metamorphosis and change in life, whether a wedding, a funeral, a memorial, or just because. Adult butterflies for release may be ordered for local pick-up only; the minimum order is 1 dozen, and orders must be placed at least 6 weeks in advance. Because we focus on breeding for exhibits, public butterfly orders are subject to availability. Butterflies for release are available during butterfly season (late May through early October). Sorry, we do not ship butterflies or chrysalis out of Louisville, Kentucky, for release or individual use, only for permitted and certified exhibits.
Experience
Experience the amazing transformation of the butterfly with one of our butterfly life cycle kits! Hatch your own butterfly at home with one of our beginner-friendly chrysalis adoptions or witness the full caterpillar-to-butterfly life cycle with a complete metamorphosis kit that includes caterpillars and a host plant. Butterfly kits will be available for local customers during Butterfly Season (late May to September). Sign up for our email newsletter to hear when chrysalis and kits are available.

Field Trips

Community Events

Workshops & Classes

Igniting a Passion for the Planet

Good Bugs Not Drugs

Rearing-Lab

Exhibits

Release

Experience