Remembering Cornelius DuPlessis
We regret to announce the passing on Oct. 1 of our friend and member Cornelius DuPlessis at the age of 72 at his home in Rawlings, NY, Rainbow’s End Butterfly Farm & Nursery. Cornelius was a longtime member of the International Butterfly Breeders Association where he shared his love and passion for butterflies. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Pat). Cornelius and Pat loved butterflies and gave tours and presentations at Rainbow’s End and also at their winter home in Florida. Pat graciously mentioned that memorial contributions may be made in Cornelius name to the IBBA.
We are honored to carry on his legacy. Funds will be used for monarch research.
Cornelius was a retired engineer and a unique person. He was always tinkering with butterfly rearing techniques among other things. We will miss him. We send our collective condolences to Pat and the family.
The IBBA Ecuador Adventure
January 2027
Join fellow International Butterfly Breeders Association members for an unforgettable journey through Ecuador in January 2027! The IBBA Ecuador Adventure is a unique opportunity to travel internationally alongside other butterfly breeders, exhibitors, educators, and enthusiasts while building relationships, exchanging knowledge, and experiencing Ecuador’s incredible biodiversity together. Members can choose from three experiences—the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador’s cloud forests and cultural highlights, and the Amazon—or combine them for a broader exploration of this remarkably diverse country.
For butterfly enthusiasts and professionals, Ecuador offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience some of the world’s richest butterfly diversity firsthand. We’ll explore tropical habitats, encounter Ecuadorian butterflies and other wildlife in the field, and visit butterfly gardens and breeding operations to see how butterflies are raised, exhibited, and conserved in another part of the world. Just as valuable is the opportunity to connect with fellow IBBA members—networking, exchanging ideas, learning from one another, and building lasting relationships through shared experiences. International travel opportunities like this are a unique benefit of IBBA membership, bringing our butterfly community together to learn, explore, and experience the world of butterflies beyond our own borders.
February is Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (Oe) Awareness Month
February 23 – 27 : Daily Email Discussion
Next week members will receive a daily email about Oe — its various strains across species and locales, Oe reproduction and evolution, parasite transmission as a function of density, testing for and identifying Oe in your stock, responsible rearing practices, impacts of climate change on Oe, etc. These daily topics will also be posted under the “Disease Prevention & Response” category on Discord.
February 27: Oe Membership Zoom Presentation & Discussion
Members — Join us on Zoom for presentation on all things Oe and discuss some of the topics mentioned during the week via email and Discord.
LIVE MEMBER COURSES & PRESENTATIONS
March 2026 | Date TBD – Beginner’s Guide to Discord
Led by Rose Nero
Learn about our new communication and collaboration tool — the IBBA server on Discord. Rose will answer your questions live about how to use Discord. There will be multiple mini-sessions that will help you get acquainted.
March 2026 | Date TBD – Determining the Monarch Migratory Corridors from Idaho
Presented by Patrick Adair
Dr. David James, entomologist at Washington State University, is directing research throughout Idaho during 2026, to determine the migratory corridors utilized by monarchs during their fall migration from Idaho. After over a decade of releasing thousands of monarchs in Idaho with paper tags, it remains a mystery where Idaho monarchs go. Do they head Southwest to overwintering sites along the California coast, due south into Utah and Arizona, or fly all the way to Mexico? Utilizing an ultra-lite telemetry tracker called the “Blu+ Morpho” we now have the capacity to track monarchs in real time. Patrick will introduce us to this exciting new technology and show us how IBBA members can help. Take a look at adoptamonarch.org.
March 10th – “Introduction to Raising Butterflies”
A Beginner’s Course Led by Todd Stout
This course will cover a wide range of beginner topics such as the following:
- Life History and Metamorphosis
- Basic Equipment
- Shipping Across State Lines
- Finding Eggs and Caterpillars
- Host and Nectar Plants
- Raising Caterpillars to Healthy Butterflies
Letter from the President
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends,
On behalf of the International Butterfly Breeders Association, I am honored to welcome you and to thank you for your continued commitment to the responsible breeding, conservation, and education surrounding butterflies worldwide.
Butterfly breeders occupy a unique and important space at the intersection of science, conservation, agriculture, and public engagement. Our work supports research initiatives, educational exhibits, habitat restoration efforts, and the ethical supply of butterflies for institutions and programs that inspire millions each year. With this responsibility comes a shared obligation to uphold the highest standards of animal welfare, ecological integrity, and professional transparency.
As an association, we are dedicated to fostering collaboration among breeders across regions and disciplines. By sharing research, best practices, and innovations in rearing techniques, disease management, and genetic stewardship, we strengthen both our individual operations and the global butterfly community as a whole.
We also recognize the growing importance of public trust. In an era of environmental uncertainty, our industry must lead with clarity, accountability, and science-based practices. Whether addressing pathogen management, habitat sustainability, or ethical exhibition standards, we are committed to ensuring that butterfly breeding contributes positively to conservation outcomes rather than compromising them.
Looking ahead, the Association will continue expanding educational resources, facilitating professional development opportunities, and advocating for policies that support responsible breeders while protecting wild populations. Our collective expertise is one of our greatest strengths, and together we can shape a future that balances commerce, conservation, and community engagement.
Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and passion. The work you do matters — not only to our industry, but to ecosystems, educators, and future generations.
With appreciation and resolve,
Ryan Malone
President
International Butterfly Breeders Association