National School of Lepidoptera

Welcome to the prestigious National School of Lepidoptera (NSL)

At the Western Cape Butterfly Sanctuary (WCBS) (Pty) Registration No 2021/001678/07

The industry of Butterfly Tour Guides and Butterfly Breeders has over the last few years has become invaluable to Butterfly Sanctuaries, Butterfly Lepidomes, Butterfly Houses, Butterfly Farms and Butterfly Breeding Centers. The National School of Lepidoptera (NSL) has become the leading experts in practical training of Tour Guides and Butterfly Breeders with a unique curriculum – Worldwide Based in a farm setting in the Western Cape 23 kilometers from Mossell Bay on the R328 going to Outshooring. At the foot of the famous Roberson Pass and Outaniqua Mountain range.

Peruse our Curriculum

Certified Tour Guide Courses of the National School of Lepidoptera (NSL)

Butterfly Tour Guide Course

Learn to be an excellent Field Tour Guide, Butterfly Safari Tour Guide as well a professional Butterfly Sanctuary Tour Guide. (Theory and Practical)

Field Tour Guide (FTG):

The FTG is trained in the field from the NSL based at the Western Cape Butterfly Sanctuary near Mossel Bay in the WC. For more information and applications, email us at info@nationalsl.co.za.

Butterfly Safari Tour Guide (BSTG):

The BSTG is trained in the field from the NSL based at the Western Cape Butterfly Sanctuary near Mossel Bay in the WC. For more information and applications, email us at info@nationalsl.co.za.

A Professional Butterfly Sanctuary Tour Guide (PBSTG):

The PBSTG is trained in the field from the NSL based at the Western Cape Butterfly Sanctuary near Mossel Bay in the WC. Accommodation and meals may be provided for volunteer students at the Western Cape Butterfly Sanctuary (WCBS). For more information and applications, email us at info@nationalsl.co.za.

Other curriculum add on options

Consolidated Certified Course Modules of NSL

Entry level

Module 1) Life Cycle of a Butterfly NSL-(b1)01

Module 2) Introduction to Breeding Butterflies NSL-(b1)02

Entry level 2

Module 3) Common Butterfly Breeding Techniques NSL-(b1)03

Entry level 3

Module 4) Advanced Butterfly Breeding Techniques NSL-(b1)04

Entry level 4

Module 5) Intensive Butterfly Breeding Techniques NSL-(b1)05

Entry level 5

Monthly Butterfly Enterprise Workshop NSL-(ent)06

Description of Entry Levels

Module 1) Life Cycle of a Butterfly NSL-(b1)01

Theory from the book “Bringing Butterflies to your Garden” – Earle Whiteley 2023

“This allows the student to understand the intricacies of a butterfly’s life cycle from Ovum to Imago. Through each stage an understanding of their needs. Which in itself allows the student to develop tailor made breeding methods and programs for the species they intend to breed”.

Workshop; 10am to 3pm (5 hours) R550.00 (optional and needs to be booked in advance)

“A lot is understood from the theory presented. However, as every individual has a different understanding from any text and have the habit of forming self-imposed images and visions of the text presented, it becomes necessary to present this workshop for proper visual understanding. As a practical course it elevates much of what students imagined it to be”.

WhatsApp schedule; WhatsApp communication is provided for the student to ask those questions that are not clear to the students understanding. Each student will be provided “a student’s own time slot” on a daily basis from Mondays to Fridays between; (1 hour time slot)

Duration of Module; This Module is fourteen (14) days to its completion.

Module 2) Introduction to Breeding Butterflies NSL-(b1)02

Theory from the book “Introduction to Breeding Butterflies” – Earle Whiteley 2022

By having completed the Module 1) Life Cycle of a Butterfly NSL-(b1)01, Theory from the book “Bringing Butterflies to your Garden” – Earle Whiteley 2023, you have been equipped with the fundamentals needed to actually start breeding butterflies. This understanding will make your introduction to breeding butterflies just so much easier.

Workshop; 7am to 4pm (9 hours) R800.00 (optional and needs to be booked in advance)

“The workshop presents a methodical and easy to understand program. This workshop allows the student the opportunity to physically work with the entire process of the butterfly’s life cycle. The correct tools are introduced and the implementation thereof”.

Duration of Module; This Module is twenty (20) days to its completion.

Module 3) Common Butterfly Breeding Techniques NSL-(b1)03

Theory from the book “Common Butterfly Breeding Techniques” – Earle Whiteley 2024

This module allows the student the chance to experiment under the guidance and applying some common breeding techniques, interfacing them with butterfly species that are intended to be bred by the student.

Workshop; 10am to 3pm (5 hours) R550.00 (optional and needs to be booked in advance)

“This program presents a series of common butterfly breeding techniques. Discussing their individual differences and needs for the species intended to be bred by the student. Through this investigation by the student, allows the student to select the technique application desired and to establish a set breeding program”.

Duration of Module; This Module is ten (10) days to its completion.

Module 4) Advanced Butterfly Breeding Techniques NSL-(b1)04

Theory from the Scientific Paper for the South African Butterfly Breeding Association (SABBA) “Advanced Butterfly Breeding Techniques” – Earle Whiteley 2024

These are considered the trade secrets of SABBA. And with their consent, the National School of Lepidoptera (NSL) presents this module for its Member Students in SA. A simplified network of our butterfly breeders in SA. These advanced breeding techniques are just that. Advanced and unique allowing the student to resolve breeding issues at will. Also breeding butterflies previously thought impossible. The study and experimentation of these advanced techniques has taken over forty years to accumulate. (Earle Whiteley, 1984 – 2024)

Workshop; 8am to 4pm (8 hours) R880.00 (optional and needs to be booked in advance)

“This program presents a series of advanced butterfly breeding techniques. Giving Member Students the opportunity to start small lucrative butterfly related businesses”.

Duration of Module; This Module is fifteen (15) days to its completion.

Module 5) Intensive Butterfly Breeding Techniques NSL-(b1)05

Theory from the Scientific Paper for Conservation of Butterflies in South Africa (CBISA) “Intensive Butterfly Breeding Techniques” – Earle Whiteley 2025

These are considered the trade secrets of CBISA. And with their consent, the National School of Lepidoptera (NSL) presents this module for its Member Students in SA. A simplified network of our butterfly breeders in SA. These intensive breeding techniques are just that. More advanced, intensive and unique allowing the Member Students to enter into large commercial enterprises. Previously thought impossible. The study and experimentation of these advanced techniques has taken over 9 years to accumulate. (Earle Whiteley, 2018 – 2025)

Workshop; 8am to 4pm (8 hours) R880.00 per day for three (3) consecutive days (optional and needs to be booked in advance)

“This program presents a series of intensive butterfly breeding techniques. Giving Member Students the opportunity to start major lucrative butterfly related businesses”.

Duration of Module; This Module is twenty (20) days to its completion.

WORKSHOPS

Monthly Butterfly Enterprise Workshop NSL-(ent) 06

There are monthly workshops where much is discussed and revealed. All Butterfly related enterprises are welcome to attend. These workshops keep you abreast of the butterfly industry.

The industry covers the following:
• Butterfly breeding updates
• Butterfly Weddings
• Butterfly Releases
• Butterfly programs for schools (educational)
• Butterfly walks and excursions
• Butterfly Crafts
• Butterfly awareness projects and programs
• Butterfly Host plant nursery
• Field Trips (search and research)
• School safaris (ilepsafari)
• Tour guides at sanctuaries
• Butterfly collections (a butterfly museum)
• Butterfly consultants
• Marketing methods
• Butterfly film making

Workshop; 8am – 4pm (8 hours) R 350.00 per person, includes;
Lunch; platters
End of day; either a braai/meal and 1st drink

Online Students

We facilitate online students from across the globe and present our curriculum only in the English language .The entire curriculum can be done online for the exception of the NSL Advanced Practical AP001 (certificate). This can be arranged at any recognized butterfly related institution across the globe.

Gallery

For more info and application forms

Email: info@nationalsl.co.za