Owner

I am proud to be the owner of a company with 40 years of history and a diverse and extensive family of customers and suppliers around the globe. I have been a life-long lover of butterflies, insects, and the natural world. I collect many things and have worked around the insect kingdom buying and selling for many years.

That being said, I am also aware of the enormity of things to learn about the butterfly and insect world. If you’re a specialist and can offer assistance in any way, please don’t hesitate to email, write, or just give us a call. Or if you are a long-time collector looking for rarities, feel free to send us your wish list. My mission is to work tirelessly to provide you with a high level of product diversity, fair pricing, and exceptional customer service.

I hope we can inspire you to learn something new about butterflies or insects and the natural world around you. I look forward to many years of bringing you the most beautiful butterflies and insects the world has to offer.

(Now Constance Tipton) Founder

During her active years, founder of The Butterfly Company Connie Hurt Tipton was known throughout the world as “The Butterfly Lady.”

She has hosted expeditions to the Amazon Jungle, visited suppliers around the world, and served as an advisor and consultant to butterfly farms and breeding projects. Her greatest challenge – and success – was being commissioned by museums to obtain great rarities. In doing so, she bought and sold butterflies and insects and established fair pricing for worldwide species. That experience allowed her to establish market value and appraise specimens and numerous private, public and museum collections.

Although retired, Connie often assists The Butterfly Company as a consultant in the appraisal of public and private butterfly collections.

Production & Office Manager

Ashleigh is our production manager, designer, and office manager. She assists with the company’s large inventory of dried specimens and meticulously prepares spreads and special projects of customer orders on a day-to-day basis.

She is passionately committed to the preservation and process that goes into maintaining the beauty of each specimen. Her favorite butterflies include the Neon Green Swallowtail, Red Spotted Purple, and The Great Mormon – all of which are part of her growing collection.

Prior to immersing herself in the world of butterflies and entomology, Ashleigh graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she completed her BFA in Studio Arts.