Deformed wings keeps butterfly off balance,can wings be tied

Ask questions and share tips and tricks about raising monarchs - including dealing with predators, parasites and disease.

Moderator: Monarch Watch

Deformed wings keeps butterfly off balance,can wings be tied

Postby dancetta » Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:53 pm

One of my butterflies (I have 40 chrysalis hanging) fell and was not able to crawl up and I found it (too late) in it's own liquid. So it crawls around off balance, flipping upside down alot. Is it ok to tie the wings back hoping I can get it even? What else?

I place it on flowers but eventually I find it on the ground upside down. Help?
dancetta
2nd Instar Member
 
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:57 pm

Postby Jim » Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:27 pm

Once the wings have dried deformed, the monarch will never be able to fly. If you want to keep this butterfly alive your only option is to hand feed and care for it.
User avatar
Jim
Monarch Watch Guru
Monarch Watch Guru
 
Posts: 380
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:09 pm
Location: Kansas, USA

How often do they need to eat?

Postby dancetta » Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:05 am

I've seen the video on how to feed them but how many times do they need to drink and how often?
dancetta
2nd Instar Member
 
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:57 pm

Postby Jim » Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:08 pm

What video? All you really need to do is touch the monarch's feet to the nectar - if it is hungry it should uncoil its proboscis and attempt to feed. How much and how often depends on the butterfly's level of activity - a monarch that is not burning up fuel by flying shouldn't have to feed very often...
User avatar
Jim
Monarch Watch Guru
Monarch Watch Guru
 
Posts: 380
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:09 pm
Location: Kansas, USA

Postby harpo787 » Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:44 pm

An interesting question: does a butterfly need to drink water, or does the nectar supply all it needs?
harpo787
4th Instar Member
 
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:23 am
Location: S. Florida

Re: Deformed wings keeps butterfly off balance,can wings be

Postby BedfordParkMonarchs » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:23 am

dancetta wrote:One of my butterflies (I have 40 chrysalis hanging) fell and was not able to crawl up and I found it (too late) in it's own liquid. So it crawls around off balance, flipping upside down alot. Is it ok to tie the wings back hoping I can get it even? What else?

I place it on flowers but eventually I find it on the ground upside down. Help?


We have a similar problem. Our little orange friend has deformed wings, and flips upside down.

Dancetta, it's a few months since your post, did you come up with a way to stop your Monarch from flipping upside down?

Anyone else?

Thanks!
BedfordParkMonarchs
New Egg
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:15 am

Deformed wings

Postby dancetta » Sat Jun 24, 2006 5:31 pm

I did tie back the wings of the butterfly with strings which helped him stay a little more balanced. He did eventually pass on but was able to feed himself with a little help. :wink:
dancetta
2nd Instar Member
 
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:57 pm


Return to Rearing Monarchs

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests