My little girl saved a butterfly from the cold and rain

[BlizzardNole]

My eight-year old daughter came in a few hours ago with something cupped in her hand -- a red spotted purple she caught on the driveway when it was barely 60 degrees and overcast. Poor little thing was too sluggish to even make a move to get away.

The little fella is spending the night with the monarchs after a nice dinner of over-ripe banana. He's perked up nicely now and is flying all around. I'm glad she found him because we are socked in with moderate/heavy rain all night. She's gonna be my butterfly kid!

[Mona Miller]

I think after our nice days that this cold spell surprised the butterflies. I was at Brookside Botanical Gardens today and there was a newly hatched Monarch hanging out. It flew down and was shivering. I picked it up carefully and placed it up on the Lantana in a bit more warm area.

If the Red Spotted Purple's abdomen is round, it may be a girl. I'd put in some pussy willow or black cherry, and she'll lay eggs for you. Mine are hatching now and are making leaf nests. They winter over as 2nd to 3rd instar caterpillars.