Rain Again!

[kat_langan]

So I want to release Leeland and Betty but there is rain again...I dont want to let them go when its raining...

I have 4 4th instars left and 3 2nd instars, the rest of the 46 are Chrysalis's...I hope they all dont emerge at once lol, I will have a butterfly farm going on in here!

[texas butterfly]

We finally got some rain, so I am glad we are getting rain. We are in a drought.

I think I've read if weather is bad, then wait a day.
For instance heavy rain or very windy conditions it is best to wait if possible.

I've also read that morning releases are better.

[Mona Miller]

And, if they are banging their wings, then place them in a dark area.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarc ... gFink.html
Dr. Fink shows how to hand feed butterflies. Keeps the wings cleaner than putting a sugar solution inside the container.
Remember, you may not need to feed until day two or three. I've also seen people use a Q-tip saturated with gatorade. Just put that up to their proboscis.

You can use gatorade to feed them or juicy, juicy (box drink)--10% sugar solution.

[kat_langan]

Thanks so much Mona! I made the same exact thing for them that she did in the video...so neat! But I used a q tip like you suggested, it went well Tomorrow we are releasing them if the weather is better!!! so sad:( but we will have more soon! ...

[Mona Miller]

If you keep them, they need to be feed at least twice a day. Don't forget to mist the container with water so that they can get some water, too.

[skates4marty]

The mid-Atlantic is socked in, so I went looking for rainy day advice. Found this thread. Tried the Q-tip feeding. It worked great!

[Mona Miller]

Fantastic!! I am also glad when I see that something I posted actually worked.