Can a wing be mended? Need help ASAP

[ohiomonarchmama]

I had 2 monarchs hatch out yesterday in a large pretzel container and I planned on letting my friend release them today since she has been recovering from an operation and she loves my butterflies...well, when I woke up this AM, the one had a portion of it's top wing (about 1/3) "floppy", and I tried to let him fly and it didn't work. I have some "Do not use" orange stickers left from last year's tagging and wondered if I put one at the crucial break spot if that would help so at least he could fly (or be more balanced). If it doesn't work, I will try to feed him by hand and keep him for awhile, but I really would rather let him go if we can get him functional again. Any other ideas? I thought the sticker idea would be the best because of being lightweight and easier to put on, but any other suggestions are apppreciated. Thanks! Julie

[Orangeaid]

Hi Julie. I hate to be negative but i have never been able to get an injured butterfly to heal. It seems that they are so fragile in most ways that when something is wrong with them they tend not to make it. I hope you have some luck with your butterfly. I can usually tell right away after they emerge if a monarch is going to have trouble surviving . The sick or injured ones just act differently from the healthy ones and at that point i feel sad but mother nature has her way. Good luck. Dave

[Jewel]

Hey Julie...what'd you end up doing? I actually have wondered the same thing myself.

[Alec]

Good luck