Newly emerged

[blazing star]

Hi,

I have two butterflies that emerged this morning. It's 6:37 pm and they are both still hanging and not moving and testing their wings. A storm is on it's way. Do I keep them overnight, or do I bring them out when the storm passes and it's dark out and put them in a tree? My concern is keeping them overnight and they start flying about a break a wing. Help, please.

[Mona Miller]

They won't need to eat for maybe two days. But, they do need water. I mist the containers (not them). If they are too excited, put them into a dark room that will calm them down.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarc ... gFink.html
You can hand feed them.

Or you can offer them fruit like watermelon, oranges, cantelope.

[blazing star]

Oh boy. I'm not sure what to do. They're in a container with a bunch of other cats and chrysalises. Could this be a problem if I keep them in there overnight? I am thinking I should just put them outside now. I am not that comfortable hand feeding them. I never handle them except to let them climb on my finger to set them free.

[Mona Miller]

Keeping the whole crew in the dark for a night would not be a problem.

[blazing star]

I ended up releasing one that became really active flapping it's wings. It took off to the tree tops and I'm assuming it is ok. The storm came through but it ended up more as normal rain in patches. I released the other one this morning and it was in the same place as it was last night so you are correct, once again. I didn't have a mister so I dripped water droplets on top of the two screens and it kinda sat there as a film. It all worked well, so thanks for your help.

[Mona Miller]

Live and learn. I've been doing this since my son was 4 years old. He is now 23. That is a good number of years. But, just like children, it seems new problems arise with each new batch.