releasing at night?

[MNkristin]

I had to leave before one eclosed, I am wondering if I should release it now, or wait til daylight?

[Mona Miller]

Spray the container with water, leave it in a dark room. You can release it when you return. They don't need food the first day. And, keeping it in the dark will prevent it from breaking its wings to get out.

[MNkristin]

thanks fort he tips. turns out, I'm not sure if she did eclose yesterday after all. I covered the container with a scarf before I left in the afternoon, and didn't check in on it til this morning. She was pretty content hanging on my finger (that's when I discovered she's a she I have one last cat that should from its 'J' today, and another that I think will eclose. This afternoon I have a five year old coming to see my monarch "farm". hoping that she might get to see the release. We have monarchfest 9/11, I'm going to see if she wants to go with me, or if she and her dad want to go. This was my first season rearing monarchs. I raised 7, 11 and my last round now is 10 cats, So far all healthy releases. I had one cat that I brought in as a 3rd instar that never ate, was very sedentary for a while, then got mobile but still never ate. Otherwise it's been a very healthy season. I am hooked! this fall I want to plant a couple different varieties of milkweed, but other than that (or even without) I think my yard could be a monarch weigh station. maybe for the holidays someone will get me that certification kit as a gift <3

[MNkristin]

PS. I placed her on a leaf in the sun, and when I went to check on her I stepped out just in time to see her fly up high and away. It's 61 and sunny now, a beautiful morning.

[MNkristin]

one last question- when spraying the container, since the butterfly is in there, when spraying the container, I would do my best to not spray the monarch, but is it ok if it gets a bit misted? seems unavoidable?

[Mona Miller]

I try to spray the sides so that they can take some moisture from the netting. If you spray the Monarch, they get upset.

That's a Waystation.
http://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/