A lucrative business operating in the weeds could be responsible for a butterfly effect that changes ecosystems across North America.
Butterfly larvae taken and farmed commercially before being sold for weddings, funeral services and baby showers may have origins in Cambridge.
And while butterfly releases are not a new practice, they could have serious environmental implications if not done properly, say local experts.
Norma Rossler-Glasier thought she noticed something odd when she was on a walk in the Dumfries Conservation Area two weeks ago and saw two people rummaging through the milkweeds.
At first she thought they were researchers until she asked what they were doing.
“The wife said there were far less monarch larvae this year,” said Glasier. “The husband said, they were harvesting them for money.”
It became clear to Glasier the couple was looking to scoop up any butterfly larvae they could find to later sell to be released at events.
What raised the most alarm for Glasier is the fact that monarch butterflies recently made the International Union for Conservation's Red List, which chronicles the plight of endangered species around the world.
According to the IUCN, scientists estimate the species' population has dropped between 20 and 90 per cent over the last several decades.
Adrienne Brewster, executive director from the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory discourages these releases, saying the harm they can have on an ecosystem could be devastating.
Unregulated and commercially raised insects could potentially spread diseases and parasites, seriously affecting local populations, she said.
“We always err on the side of caution when it comes to releasing insects into the wild,” Brewster added. “We consider this a big deal, especially if something is supposed to be regulated we always look at it with a serious approach.”
Brewster said insects like butterflies are instrumental to our ecosystem and how we live our daily lives. Every insect and animal have crucial roles to play to ensure mother nature continues to thrive.
Invertebrates make up a huge biodiversity of the Earth and the conservation of these animals are vastly underrepresented, Brewster said.
Online sales for butterflies range from $185 for 12 monarchs to $100 for 15 painted ladies. The resale business for these insects can be lucrative, especially if the larvae are harvested for free from conservation areas.
The Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO) hold a yearly butterfly release to honour loved ones who have passed.
Each year they expect to release anywhere from 200 to 300 butterflies during their Walk to Remember and Butterfly Release event.
“This is a way for families who have lost someone to celebrate their lives and release some of the grief they have been holding onto,” said Jaime Bickerton, executive director for the BFO.
Bickerton understands the complaints about the releases and has switched to painted ladies for releases instead of monarchs.
The BFO buys their butterflies from a third party company that they’ve been working with for a number of years. Each butterfly costs $40 to release and is considered a donation to the organization which helps bereaved families cope with the loss of a loved one.
But the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory wants people to be aware of the implications of releasing these insects, saying they could literally trigger a butterfly effect of negative impacts on the environment.
The Grand River Conservation Authority oversees Dumfries, where Glasier saw the couple taking larvae. The GRCA does not recommend taking anything from the conservation areas and to "only leave with photos and memories."
“Our guests are asked not to touch, disturb or chase wildlife – this includes insects, as this may cause stress and do harm,” said Cameron Linwood supervisor, strategic communications for the GRCA.
Glasier can’t shake the feeling of not saying anything to the couple that day, adding she hasn’t stopped thinking about what she could have done differently.
“It makes my stomach turn that I didn’t say anything to them,” said Glasier. “Like, it’s a conservation, the whole point is to preserve nature.”
