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The Butterfly Company

@thebutterflyco.bsky.social

Leading supplier of dried, unmounted butterflies and insects for collectors, artists & educators 🦋 Chicago, IL www.thebutterflycompany.com

38 Followers  |  60 Following  |  58 Posts  |  Joined: 23.01.2025  |  1.8908

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Spring Cleaning Entomology Sale April 9-12 | Wednesday-Saturday Bridgeport Art Center 1200 W 35th St, Floor 4R, Chicago, IL 60609

Spring Cleaning Entomology Sale April 9-12 | Wednesday-Saturday Bridgeport Art Center 1200 W 35th St, Floor 4R, Chicago, IL 60609

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THIS WEEK: Spring Entomology Sale @ The Bridgeport Art Center, April 9-12 from 11am-4pm! 🔥🪲🦋

Get THOUSANDS of ethically-sourced insect specimens and vintage collections at 40+% off retail price! Open to the public; drop in and say hi! 👋

#nature #sale #taxidermy #oddities #odditiesandcuriosities

06.04.2025 17:15 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A green foam board with three Stag Beetle specimens (Lucanidae ssp.) spread with their legs outstretched symmetrically. While one of the beetles is completely black, two beetles have coffee-brown elytra, indicating these beetles are distinct species. Yellow pins hold their legs and mandibles in place as they dry.

A green foam board with three Stag Beetle specimens (Lucanidae ssp.) spread with their legs outstretched symmetrically. While one of the beetles is completely black, two beetles have coffee-brown elytra, indicating these beetles are distinct species. Yellow pins hold their legs and mandibles in place as they dry.

A green foam board with three Stag Beetle specimens (Lucanidae ssp.) spread with their legs outstretched symmetrically. While one of the beetles is completely black, two beetles have coffee-brown elytra, indicating these beetles are distinct species. A small aqua-blue weevil is also present on the edge of the board. Yellow pins hold their legs and mandibles in place as they dry.

A green foam board with three Stag Beetle specimens (Lucanidae ssp.) spread with their legs outstretched symmetrically. While one of the beetles is completely black, two beetles have coffee-brown elytra, indicating these beetles are distinct species. A small aqua-blue weevil is also present on the edge of the board. Yellow pins hold their legs and mandibles in place as they dry.

Lucanidae ssp. in progress, feat. a little aqua-colored weevil! 🪲

#taxidermy #coleoptera #nature #art #odditiesandcuriosities #oddities #curiosities

05.04.2025 17:15 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
An array of Fire Orange Tip butterfly specimens (Hebomoia leucippe), spread with their wings outstretched symmetrically. These brightly-colored butterflies are vibrant, with bold orange forewings and neon yellow hindwings.

An array of Fire Orange Tip butterfly specimens (Hebomoia leucippe), spread with their wings outstretched symmetrically. These brightly-colored butterflies are vibrant, with bold orange forewings and neon yellow hindwings.

Some recent spreads of fiery Hebomoia leucippe 🔥🔥🔥

#taxidermy #lepidoptera #odditiesandcuriosities #entomology #nature #art

03.04.2025 14:15 — 👍 12    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Two Giant Water Bug specimens, Lethocerus ssp., displayed against a white foam backdrop with their legs and wings outstretched symmetrically. These are two different species from around the world, with one specimen twice as big as the other.

Two Giant Water Bug specimens, Lethocerus ssp., displayed against a white foam backdrop with their legs and wings outstretched symmetrically. These are two different species from around the world, with one specimen twice as big as the other.

These amazing Giant Water Bugs use their sharp rostrum to feed on all sorts of aquatic life, including fish, frogs, and snakes.💥 Though humans aren't on their menu, their defensive bite is among the most painful in the world!

#entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities #nature

01.04.2025 14:15 — 👍 16    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Five colorful cicada specimens displayed on a white foam backdrop, all with their wings spread out symmetrically. The cicadas range in size and pattern, showing how diverse the cicada superfamily is even within the same continent.

Five colorful cicada specimens displayed on a white foam backdrop, all with their wings spread out symmetrically. The cicadas range in size and pattern, showing how diverse the cicada superfamily is even within the same continent.

A small array of cicadas endemic to Asia! Did you know each species has its own unique song? 🎶

#entomology #insects #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities #odditiesandcuriosities #natureart

30.03.2025 17:15 — 👍 11    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
A Peacock Swallowtail specimen, Papilio karna, photographed from the top, its wings symmetrically outstretched in a flat position.

A Peacock Swallowtail specimen, Papilio karna, photographed from the top, its wings symmetrically outstretched in a flat position.

With such incredible iridescent patches on its wings, Papilio karna looks stunning as ever 💎✨

#lepidoptera #insects #entomology #taxidermy #odditiesandcuriosities #oddities #curiosities #natureart

29.03.2025 17:15 — 👍 12    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Come visit us this Friday, March 20th, during Open Studios at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago! 🦋🦋🦋

#insects #entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities #bugs #chicagoevents

18.03.2025 18:04 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Four Red-Splashed Sulphur butterfly specimens (Phoebis avellaneda) spread flat with their wings outstretched symmetrically.

Four Red-Splashed Sulphur butterfly specimens (Phoebis avellaneda) spread flat with their wings outstretched symmetrically.

These fiery Red-Splashed Sulphurs are found ONLY in Cuba, and are rarely on the market due to their protected status. What a privilege to spread this quartet 🔥

#entomology #insects #oddities #curiosities #taxidermy

16.03.2025 17:15 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A leaf insect specimen (Phyllium westwoodi) spread symmetrically on a foam board, its legs and wings outstretched. Yellow pins are positioned around the insect to affix its limbs and body in place, while two glass slides flatten the wings.

A leaf insect specimen (Phyllium westwoodi) spread symmetrically on a foam board, its legs and wings outstretched. Yellow pins are positioned around the insect to affix its limbs and body in place, while two glass slides flatten the wings.

A gorgeous leaf insect ready to dry 💚

#taxidermy #entomology #oddities #curiosities

15.03.2025 17:15 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A collection of many earth-toned beetle specimens pinned onto white foam. All are spread with their legs and antennae symmetrical, an entomological pin through one side of their elytra.

A collection of many earth-toned beetle specimens pinned onto white foam. All are spread with their legs and antennae symmetrical, an entomological pin through one side of their elytra.

A pile of papered butterfly and moth specimens, all ranging in size and color. Some packages are semi-transparent, showing a glimpse of the folded butterfly inside.

A pile of papered butterfly and moth specimens, all ranging in size and color. Some packages are semi-transparent, showing a glimpse of the folded butterfly inside.

A pile of colorful weevil specimens, individually packaged against cardboard strips and secured with cellophane.

A pile of colorful weevil specimens, individually packaged against cardboard strips and secured with cellophane.

A close-up shot of dried, unmounted butterfly specimens of different species, shapes, and colors.

A close-up shot of dried, unmounted butterfly specimens of different species, shapes, and colors.

It's official: we're hosting a Spring Cleaning Entomology Sale on April 9-12, 10am-5pm! 🦋🪲🐛🐞🪰🕷

We are downsizing our inventory and have THOUSANDS of specimens available for low prices. Swing by our office at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, IL to build your own collection ✨

#taxidermy

13.03.2025 14:15 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A wooden display cabinet with a drawer labeled "Ornithoptera" partially pulled out, showing a variety of spread Birdwing butterfly specimens.

A wooden display cabinet with a drawer labeled "Ornithoptera" partially pulled out, showing a variety of spread Birdwing butterfly specimens.

Taking a quick look at some of the LARGEST butterflies on Earth 🦋 One of several Birdwing drawers here at our office!

#insects #entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities #collection

11.03.2025 14:15 — 👍 9    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A top-down view of a medium-sized helmeted katydid (Siliquofera sp.) posed with its wings and legs outstretched, pinned to a white foam background.. Its forewings are remarkably leaf-like, with yellow-green veins and spots mimicking those in a leaf. Other insect species can be seen in the periphery of the photo.

A top-down view of a medium-sized helmeted katydid (Siliquofera sp.) posed with its wings and legs outstretched, pinned to a white foam background.. Its forewings are remarkably leaf-like, with yellow-green veins and spots mimicking those in a leaf. Other insect species can be seen in the periphery of the photo.

Measuring just under 6 inches, the wingspan of this katydid from Papua New Guinea is among the largest in our collection!! 🏆

#insects #entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

09.03.2025 17:15 — 👍 8    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Butterfly Company: Preserved Dried Butterflies & Insects The Butterfly Company is a sustainable supplier of preserved dried butterflies and insects for sale for collectors, artists, educators, everyone.

Celebrate spring with 10% OFF ALL products on our website! 🌸🦋🍀

Explore hundreds of dried insect specimens, spreading & mounting services, rare collector's items, entomology supplies, and more at our website: thebutterflycompany.com !

08.03.2025 18:15 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A three-quarters view of an Umbrella Rhinoceros Beetle (Golofa claviger) specimen pinned against white foam, its legs outstretched symmetrically. This robust scarab is the color of tanned leather, its limbs and horns fading into a darker umber. It has two horns curving towards each other: one curving up from its head, and one curving down from the top of its thorax. While the head horn is of a typical sickle shape, the latter widens into an umbrella shape at the tip.

A three-quarters view of an Umbrella Rhinoceros Beetle (Golofa claviger) specimen pinned against white foam, its legs outstretched symmetrically. This robust scarab is the color of tanned leather, its limbs and horns fading into a darker umber. It has two horns curving towards each other: one curving up from its head, and one curving down from the top of its thorax. While the head horn is of a typical sickle shape, the latter widens into an umbrella shape at the tip.

This "Umbrella Rhinoceros Beetle" has a fitting name indeed! ☂️🦏

#insects #entomology #coleoptera #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

06.03.2025 15:15 — 👍 11    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A dried Cattleheart butterfly (Parides childrenae) specimen spread symmetrically, its triangular wings outstretched to show its topside. Its wings are pure black, save for the striking green and red iridescent color patches on its fore and hind wings respectively. Leaves of a yellow-green Pothos are in the backdrop.

A dried Cattleheart butterfly (Parides childrenae) specimen spread symmetrically, its triangular wings outstretched to show its topside. Its wings are pure black, save for the striking green and red iridescent color patches on its fore and hind wings respectively. Leaves of a yellow-green Pothos are in the backdrop.

Cattleheart butterflies have the prettiest complementary color combo 💚❤️🖤

#insects #entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

04.03.2025 15:15 — 👍 15    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A pile of blue carpenter bee specimens in their packaging. Each one is spread flat against cardboard, with a thin plastic wrap secured around the bee with staples. These bees have a striking layer of sky blue hair on their thorax and top of abdomen, while their wings are a dark violet color.

A pile of blue carpenter bee specimens in their packaging. Each one is spread flat against cardboard, with a thin plastic wrap secured around the bee with staples. These bees have a striking layer of sky blue hair on their thorax and top of abdomen, while their wings are a dark violet color.

A fuzzy swarm of blue bees 🐝 Xylocopa caerulea is a fave!

#entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

03.03.2025 19:02 — 👍 7    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A preserved Red-Speckled Jewel Beetle (Chrysochroa buqueti buqueti) posed symmetrically with yellow quilting pins on a green foam board. Its elytra and wings have been spread open as though it were flying, revealing its iridescent green-blue exoskeleton beneath. Its banded elytra shimmer with deep blue and cream, while its blue thorax has big ruby patches on either side.

A preserved Red-Speckled Jewel Beetle (Chrysochroa buqueti buqueti) posed symmetrically with yellow quilting pins on a green foam board. Its elytra and wings have been spread open as though it were flying, revealing its iridescent green-blue exoskeleton beneath. Its banded elytra shimmer with deep blue and cream, while its blue thorax has big ruby patches on either side.

Jewel Beetle spread from last week, ready to take flight 🪲

#entomology #insects #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

02.03.2025 20:26 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A wooden drawer with a foam bottom filled with various species of Owl Butterflies.

A wooden drawer with a foam bottom filled with various species of Owl Butterflies.

Taking a peek inside our Owl Butterfly (Caligo ssp.) drawer for #InsectThursday 👀

#entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

27.02.2025 16:09 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Incredible work! 🌈🦋 Love the composition!

25.02.2025 19:24 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Here's what the two males look like spread 🌟

#entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

25.02.2025 17:37 — 👍 6    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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New shipment of lovely Birdwing butterflies from the Philippines 💚💛 Trogonoptera trojana and Troides plateni, male AND female, are now available online!

#insects #entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

25.02.2025 17:27 — 👍 7    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
A symmetrical assortment of warm-toned Numberwing butterflies in a matted square frame. While half of the butterflies are facing up, the other half is placed so their underside is visible, showcasing a variety of colors and patterns.

A symmetrical assortment of warm-toned Numberwing butterflies in a matted square frame. While half of the butterflies are facing up, the other half is placed so their underside is visible, showcasing a variety of colors and patterns.

Whether you're looking at their topside or verso, Numberwing butterflies are just spectacular! 🦋

#bugsky #entomology #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

23.02.2025 18:01 — 👍 11    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A cluster of Giraffe Weevils (Trachelophorus giraffa) lined side-by-side against cotton. These tiny beetles have a black head, thorax, and legs, while its elytra are deep red. Its neck is incredibly long, comprising most of its body length. Both males and females are shown, with males having double the neck length of females.

A cluster of Giraffe Weevils (Trachelophorus giraffa) lined side-by-side against cotton. These tiny beetles have a black head, thorax, and legs, while its elytra are deep red. Its neck is incredibly long, comprising most of its body length. Both males and females are shown, with males having double the neck length of females.

Itsy-bitsy Giraffe Weevils... all the way from Madagascar 🦒 Aptly named for their very looooong neck!

#entomology #taxidermy #insects #weevils #oddities #curiosities

22.02.2025 18:01 — 👍 17    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

Thank you to all who stopped by tonight! 🦋❤

22.02.2025 04:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A closeup of a large resin keychain with a beetle, flower, and leaves preserved inside. The beetle is gold with black elytra markings, while the flower it rests on is a soft yellow. Other similar keychains hang behind it.

A closeup of a large resin keychain with a beetle, flower, and leaves preserved inside. The beetle is gold with black elytra markings, while the flower it rests on is a soft yellow. Other similar keychains hang behind it.

A green foam board tightly packed with Blue Morphos (Morpho menelaus). The photo is at an angle, showcasing the iridescent blue spectrum of the butterflies' wings.

A green foam board tightly packed with Blue Morphos (Morpho menelaus). The photo is at an angle, showcasing the iridescent blue spectrum of the butterflies' wings.

A shelf in a glass cabinet with an assortment of insect curiosities: mounted specimens, glass vials with butterfly wings, and metal casts of underground ant tunnels.

A shelf in a glass cabinet with an assortment of insect curiosities: mounted specimens, glass vials with butterfly wings, and metal casts of underground ant tunnels.

Are you a Chicago local and bug enthusiast looking for a fun Friday night? Visit us during Open Studios tomorrow at the Bridgeport Art Center, from 7pm-10pm!! Our office space has thousands of butterfly and insect treasures ready to be discovered ✨

#taxidermy #entomology #artgallery #curiosities

20.02.2025 18:40 — 👍 8    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 1

Incredible!! 💜💜

18.02.2025 18:03 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
An overhead shot of a table showcases hundreds of dried Sky Blue Morpho specimens, Morpho menelaus, tightly packed on four large foam squares. Every butterfly is posed in the same way: wings spread flat to reveal its iridescent blue topside.

An overhead shot of a table showcases hundreds of dried Sky Blue Morpho specimens, Morpho menelaus, tightly packed on four large foam squares. Every butterfly is posed in the same way: wings spread flat to reveal its iridescent blue topside.

Eight hours of intense spreading later... over 400 Morpho menelaus ready to ship! 🦋🎉

#insects #entomology #lepidoptera #oddities #curiosities

16.02.2025 18:01 — 👍 11    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
A cluster of glass domes with colorful butterfly and moth specimens inside. The butterflies and moths are mounted on a wooden dowel, giving them the appearance of floating in the center of the dome.

A cluster of glass domes with colorful butterfly and moth specimens inside. The butterflies and moths are mounted on a wooden dowel, giving them the appearance of floating in the center of the dome.

Lots of butterfly and moth domes in progress! 🔮🦋

#entomology #insects #taxidermy #oddities #curiosities

15.02.2025 18:01 — 👍 10    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
The underside of a colorful butterfly specimen, posed symmetrically with its wings flat. A vibrant gradient of yellow, seafoam green, and turquoise washes over its wings, with small spotted patterns throughout. The top of its hindwings has a vibrant magenta patch.

The underside of a colorful butterfly specimen, posed symmetrically with its wings flat. A vibrant gradient of yellow, seafoam green, and turquoise washes over its wings, with small spotted patterns throughout. The top of its hindwings has a vibrant magenta patch.

An enchanting Euphaedra ssp. from our collection 🌈

#entomology #insects #butterflies #taxidermy

13.02.2025 15:11 — 👍 8    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A close-up of a preserved butterfly and moth collection. The closest specimen, a Madagascar Sunset Moth, is black with rainbow bands of iridescence throughout. It's posed with its wings slightly raised. The sunlight on its wings make the colors more vibrant.

A close-up of a preserved butterfly and moth collection. The closest specimen, a Madagascar Sunset Moth, is black with rainbow bands of iridescence throughout. It's posed with its wings slightly raised. The sunlight on its wings make the colors more vibrant.

When the sun hits your Lepidoptera collection just right... ☀️

#entomology #insects #invertebrates #oddities #curiosities

11.02.2025 15:00 — 👍 12    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

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