Empowering Through Butterfly Farming
Since 1984, CRES has been committed to build a resilient network of small-scale conservation projects in rural Costa Rica dedicated to butterfly farming, while advancing conservation and economic empowerment in their local communities.
Our dream lives on...
As a social enterprise, CRES recognizes the potential of small-scale butterfly farming to empower families in rural communities in Costa Rica, enabling them to preserve butterfly habitats and develop sustainable livelihoods.
Currently there are 85 farms affiliated to our network, but over the years, CRES has helped over 200+ small conservation projects, encouraging community involvement and stewardship for the environment.
Total land area dedicated to butterfly farming and protection of natural habitats from all affiliated small-scale conservation projects affiliated to our network (~ 370 acres)
Since 1984, CRES has worked hard to offer a fair-trade business platform for all farmers who want to be part of our network.
Over the years, more than 36 rural communities across Costa Rica have benefited from butterfly farming
Our Social Aspiration
To serve as a collaborative platform for all Butterfly Farmers in Costa Rica so they can thrive in sustainable butterfly farming, international trade, and successfully consolidate their small-scale conservation projects in their communities.
Butterfly exhibitions supporting
Our Network of Breeders
Our most significant accomplishment lies in the consolidation of a resilient network of small-scale conversation projects dedicated to butterfly farming.
This network forms the backbone of our operations, allowing us to consistently deliver high-quality pupae and earn a reputation as the most reliable supplier in the country. Thanks to this collaborative model, Costa Rica has been able to meet the increasing demand for neotropical butterflies from exhibitions worldwide.
Geographical distribution
Our breeders are located in 36 communities in 6 different conservation areas across Costa Rica, taking advantage of the varying climates to breed the native butterfly species from each region.
Each conservation area provides different resources to each community, according to the ecosystems. This enables the high variety of species and solid consistency of pupae availability that we can offer to all our customers.
Our Pupae Supply Service
Our pupae supply service is the backbone of our social enterprise.
With four decades of experience and continuous client interaction, we have designed a reliable supply service that has become the benchmark in the industry.
This service is fundamental to our social enterprise, acting as a driving force to provide economic support to breeders and CRES.
- Order customization to indicate the priority of your preferred species
- Tier 1 guarantee offering 10% free pupae in each order to mitigate any potential losses upfront.
- Tier 2 guarantee ensures replacement for any additional losses exceeding the complementary 10%.
- Top-notch compostable packaging system, providing additional protection to the pupae during transit and facilitating unpacking.
Explore Our Butterfly Species
Wings of Metamorphosis = Conservation in Action
Our contributions to lead the revolution of sustainable butterfly farming in Costa Rica aim to implement sustainable practices across all butterfly farms, working closely with renowned experts in the field to ensure a lasting positive impact.
Regenerative Farming Practices
Upgrade Breeding Infrastructure
Our Team
Iliana Cascante (Ily)
Operations Supervisor
Ily oversees staff operations at CRES, leads our breeder relations program, and manages the logistics that keep our exports running smoothly.
Maureen Arguedas (Mau)
Export and QA Lead
Mau leads our export and quality control efforts, ensuring each shipment is carefully inspected, packed, and monitored throughout its journey.
Dayanna Alvarez (Daya)
Accounting & Export Assistant
Daya supports our export, accounting, and breeder relations programs through vital administrative coordination and attention to detail.
Sergio Siles
Commercial Manager
Sergio serves as our commercial manager and social strategist, aligning commercial goals with social impact to guide the growth and direction of our enterprise.
Maria Gerlinde Blaese
European Representative
Maria Gerlinde applies her 25+ years of expertise in the industry to assist our European butterfly exhibits that work with us. She is located in Waldesch, Germany.
Joris Brinckerhoff
Founder & President
Joris is the founder and President of CRES, acting as our guiding compass for the long-term goals of our social enterprise
Stay informed
Stay up-to-update with the work we do, our achievements, and opportunities to support the network of small-scale initiatives that are supported through butterfly farming.
What's New with CRES
Our blog offers insights into the key initiatives, stories, and impact areas that define CRES’s work.
CRES on CNN: Life but Greener – June 2025
We feel excited to have taken part of this small coverage of Butterfly Farming in
The Hidden Currency Challenge: Why Costa Rican Butterfly Exporters Are Feeling the Pinch
When butterfly pupae arrive at your exhibit—emerging days later in a burst of vibrant life—it’s
CRES Official Statement on ICBES 2025
As many of you know, in November 2024, CRES accepted the honor of organizing and
INA & CRES: A Partnership for Long-Term Success
At CRES, we believe that strong partnerships are the foundation of sustainable success—especially when it
Get in Touch
Contact CRES
Reach out to us for collaboration, inquiries, or pricing for pupae!
- Email: cres@butterflyfarm.co.cr
- Phone: +506 2438 040
- Calle Nuestro Amo, La Guácima, Alajuela
Proud founding members of
