Too Cold?

[Miaka2u]

I have a monarch I raised outside that changed today. It's been in the low 50s today and it's supposed to get into the low 40s tonight. He has been hanging upside from his chrysalis all day and hasn't gone near the flowers in the garden. He's been free to leave all day, but I think the wind chill and the temperature hasn't been good. He's pretty inactive.

Should I take him in tonight and give him some Gatorade and hope for warmer weather tomorrow (It's supposed to get up to the 70s tomorrow and lows in the 40s) or should I leave him?

My first time having to release with cold weather! I live in Louisiana and normally it's always warm. I feel bad for the other that I released two days ago.

[Miaka2u]

I took a potted milkweed I had and put a bamboo rod in the middle of it. Then I wrapped that in tulle and tied the bottom with some twine. I put the Monarch in there and rolled the open edge and stapled it shut. And now he's in the bathroom with the door closed.

He was really active once I brought him inside so I thought the dark might help. I put a few cottonballs with Gatorade in there.

Then I noticed he was getting tangled in the tulle I rolled and stapled so I pinned that edge to the bamboo rod with clothes pins. That seemed to stop him for getting tangled. I'll try to release tomorrow. I hope I did the right thing.

[Mona Miller]

Which state are you in? You did the right thing. Tonight we have some horrible thunder storms coming. The high winds and rain would bash butterflies.

They don't usually need to eat right away. Dark and then release ASAP is best.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarc ... gFink.html
This is a good video on hand feeding Monarchs.

[Miaka2u]

Thanks Mona! I live in Louisiana (you'd think we'd be in the high 90s at this time, but we had a nasty cool front).

I did put him in the dark; he was getting a little rowdy once he came inside into the warmth! I guess I did the right thing for him then! : D And I'm getting up early to check the weather and then release if he can go. It's supposed to be in the high 70s tomorrow and get down to the low 50s the next two days. And then it's going to be in high 80s and lows of 60s after that. I think he'll make it!!!

Thank you for the link. I might see if he'll eat tomorrow before the release.

[Mona Miller]

As long as the temps are not below freezing, he will be fine.

[Miaka2u]

Released him in gorgeous 65F degree weather this morning! He made a few laps around and then went out of my site! : D Glad he made it through the night and has a better chance at life now!

[Mona Miller]

Congratulations!!