Releasing the butterflies is a wonderful way to end the butterfly project. While captivity allows the student to closely observe the wonders of metamorphosis, releasing the butterflies just feels good. The butterflies could tell that they were taken outside and began fluttering and looking for ways to escape. It is nice to see them fly away into the environment, and it put closure on the project. At this point, one is glad they only spent $1.50 making the cage that can be tossed into the trashcan. The Painted Lady is native to this country, and they poise no risk in disturbing the ecosystem.