So you've raised your caterpillars to total metamorphosis, now what? 1. Allow the newly emerged adult 3-4 hours to inflate and dry their wings. Do not touch them when their wings are still wet or it may damage them.
2. When the butterflies first emerge, they are quite lethargic and slow-moving for the first few hours. They may just walk onto your finger if you gently nudge their legs. Then, you can carry them outside and place them on a plant. 3. If your butterfly has had more than a few hours and is feeling a bit more active, you will have to hold them differently in order to minimize damage to their wings/scales. 4. Starting with your pointer and middle finger in a scissor-like position, gently hold all four wings as close to their body as possible. This way they will not be able to flap their wings and damage them. Then, carry them outside. NOTE: Sometimes the weather does not allow you to release your Monarch right away. If is below freezing, raining, hailing, snowing or there are strong gusts of wind, it is best to keep your Monarchs safe inside until this passes. You can feed them fresh cut fruits and/or honey water while they are waiting out the storm.
13 Comments
Margaret M O'Connor
12/11/2019 11:29:12 pm
Since I have many lizards and cardinals here, I prefer to wait until a butterfly is actively moving. Usually they go to the sunniest spot on my sliding glass door and search for a way out. I shew the butterfly/butterflies away from the opening door, and, watching them carefully, open the door and the screen. Usually the butterflies fly out once the door is opened. If not, I carry each individually on my index finger and place it on a tabletop with outside-growing milkweed. Usually the butterfly flies off my finger before I get to the milkweed.Their first flight into the wild is always very gratifying to me.
Kim
8/31/2020 08:55:21 am
What do you consider as strong gusts of wind?
Rebecca
9/1/2020 06:28:08 am
Anything sustaining at 20 mph or higher. Thanks for your question!
WhatNo
3/25/2021 03:31:18 am
I’ve read so far quite the contrary. Do not feed them honey. A butterfly nectar solution (more dilute than a hummingbird) id simple to make: sugar and water.
Deborah Spinelli
9/22/2021 05:18:10 am
I have a couple of monarchs which will hatch today or tomorrow. we have heavy rain predicted for the next 2 days. What is the best way to contain them and hold for better weather?
Richard
9/10/2022 06:21:02 pm
Or, you know, you could just carry the mesh enclosure outside, set it in the sun, and open it. They usually fly right out. I've been reading about dilute sugar water and/or fruit juices to hold them over for a few days while it's raining. I'm about to try that as it is about to rain and I've got half a dozen ready to pop tomorrow!
Brad Meletti
10/23/2022 07:47:25 am
We have a few monarchs that are ready to be released. We also have a road trip today where we are headed 1 hour South in the car. Should we release them when we arrive at our destination? The thought was they are headed south and this would put them much farther ahead on their journey
Selena
6/27/2023 01:28:30 pm
We are under an air quality alert in Wisconsin due to Canada’s wild fires. Is it safe to release?
Kathy
9/8/2023 03:09:48 pm
I live in Wisconsin and have released 85 monarchs this year regardless of the air quality. I really don't think it will affect them much and besides---how could you keep a butterfly for many days--the air quality has not been good for quite a while. I just released two more and plan on keeping three in the habitat until morning since it's supposed to get to around 48 degrees overnight--too cold for them. 8/20/2023 11:55:38 pm
Your site has a lot of useful information. I found exactly what I was looking for. Your step-by-step guide, filled with insights on the delicate process of helping newly emerged butterflies dry their wings, handling them gently, and ensuring their safe release into the world, has been an invaluable resource for me. Your dedication to providing detailed instructions and your emphasis on the well-being of these magnificent creatures truly shines through your writing. Thanks to you, I've been able to embark on this beautiful journey of rearing and releasing Monarchs with confidence and care. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRebecca Chandler 
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