sweaty handed tagging and crazy flapping in net

[psi_chemie]

I am tagging this year for the 1st time. It's suprisingly good exercise going through fields trying to catch butterflies. I hope to use all 100 tags I got.

Anyways, this nasty-hot muggy Kansas climate can be really obnoxious. I made a net based on instructions on this board. I usually finger-net my prey, but it has to be cooler and a little windy. That keeps them distracted, and focused on staying on the flowers when I sneak up. But right now I usually have to use the net. They flap like crazy in there, and I am surpised they don't get damaged. Anyone have problems with butterflies incurring escape-attempt damage?

Also, there must be a ton of oils and I certainly notice sweat getting to my fingertips. A couple of times, I see this mixture rubbing off on the wings. Are you supposed to use gloves or something? This is not a problem if the weather is nice.

Also, how hard are you supposed to press the tags on? I haven't crushed any wings yet, but sometimes it seems like I almost am. I guess I want to make sure the tags don't fall off.

[Paul Cherubini]

When netting wild caught monarchs on a warm day, the butterflies can easily become overheated within minutes and get sick and die. Solution: immediately place netted adults in envelopes and immediately put the envelopes in an ice chest type cooler that has ice or frozen gel packs in the bottom. Or take the netted adults into an air conditioned home or car and tag them from there.

[Keith Petrosky]

I catch and tag them in the shade under a tree, I bring along hawaiin punch in a cup and hold them for a few seconds so they can drink the punch. Mostly I could tag them within 2 minutes, mostly that was just holding them.

[Teresa]

I've never had any trouble with monarch after netting them in the heat. I secure and tag them before they put up much of a fuss.

[Pat]

Yes, it takes very little time to tag a netted monarch; never had any trouble with them in the heat.

[psi_chemie]

Ahh well. Yesterday I had a brutal, sweaty, mosquito&fly addled evening in the field tagging. And I ended up breaking a monarch's forewing when I tried to grab it as it flapped inside my net. I really prefer sneaking up on them and picking them with my hand when their wings are closed. But it must be cool and a bit breezy.

Anyways, I tore off the half of the forewing that was dangling. Then it could at least fly enough to get to flowers and trees, but it won't be going any long distances. I knew this would happen eventually.

[Teresa]

Did you try to grab it's wings (closed) from outside the net and then reach in and get it's wings?

[psi_chemie]

No, I reach into the net and slowly manipulate the fabric relative to the position of my hand, as to restrict the motion of the insect until it is subdued. I've gotten much better at this now, and don't think I'll be breaking any more wings. I find that gently holding it by the thorax is a good way to keep the butterfly under control and its legs from grabbing on hard to the net fabric.

[Teresa]

I've noticed that after i get them out and tag them they sometimes pull their legs onto their bodies like getting into a fetal postion. It's almost like they are playing dead. I put them onto a flower and BOOM, they grab hold.

[dannus plex]

Hi Teresa,
Dannus Plex stalking you again. I agree with the posturing of the butterfly after being handled. If a young person is around I gently wave the tagged Monarch, with a firm grip, and this settles into that 'fetal" position and gently place it in the kid's hand and tell them to make a wish. The butterfly usually flutters off, and the young person gets quite a kick out of it.