NEED HELP for a little fighter.

[MomInKenoshaWI]

I'm on the WI/IL border and today (Nov. 1) I found what I think is to be a young monarch.

It was on a bush in the front of our house. I don't know how it's survived the last few nights as we had nights in the low 30's and even frost.

I brought it in and it's in a large clear container with mesh over the top. I put in a branch with greens (from the bush outside). I also put some drops of sugar water in there too and we saw it lick it up with its probiscus.

I left an email for the curator of the live butterfly exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum (about 30 minutes from our house here in WI). Waiting to hear back... and hoping they will allow us to give them this butterfly for the live exhibit.

Wondering on any tips? We have never done this before. We have been very careful NOT to touch the wings.

Any TIPS/SUGGESTIONS would be appreciated. It's such a beautiful creature and we want to keep it alive until we can give it to a live exhibit in our state.

Thank you.

[James Price]

Don't worry, and don't hold on to the little fighter until you can donate it to an exhibit. Just wait until Wednesday, when the temperature is forecast to be in the mid-50s, put it out in a sunny spot, and let it go to Mexico. That's all there is to it. These are, indeed, tough little critters, not fragile. They are capable of flying more than 2,000 miles through everything nature can throw at them. Never fear.

[Mona Miller]

I think if the exhibit will let you do that, it is probably a good idea. But, they don't live long in exhibits.

We had a heavy frost last night here in VA. In another week, we will have another one. It will not make it to Mexico, with snow coming soon in your area. By the end of November, we will probably have snow, too.

It takes 6-8 weeks for them to make it to Mexico and that is with good weather, not snow storms.

They can withstand temps down to 25 degrees, but not for a long period of time.

[Mona Miller]

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomolo ... venson.htm
Environmental and Human Impacts Affecting Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Survival During Migration

[James Price]

So, what did you do with the bug? A couple years ago several monarchs were recovered in Mexico that had been tagged in the last week of October in northern Minnesota. I released my last one on Oct. 24. And I saw one passing through on Tuesday. We haven't had a frost yet here, and I'm a bit north of you.

The thought of it dying here very soon, as opposed to possibly dying in the wild where it was born while making the attempt to survive, or, very possibly (if it is very lucky) making it to Mexico with its kind and (if it is very very lucky) living to breed more monarchs for next year, would make me sad.

Good luck to you and your little friend.