Hurt butterfly
Just a little flutterbye tale…..
In the last few months I have been raising caterpillars indoors - in my kitchen in fact. Have released upwards of 80 and so far have only had two sad emerges. My last one emerged from a slightly different shaped chrysalis on 9.7.05. It was a boy and after pumping up his wings, he looked quite normal to me. The next day I put him in a sunny sheltered spot in my garden and to my amazement, he was still there at 5 pm when it was getting colder… so I brought him back inside for the night. Next day I put him out again and when I checked in the afternoon, he was no longer there…. but just as I was walking away, I spied him fluttering on the ground. Picked him up again and then realised that the poor little creature couldn’t fly. He flaps and flaps madly but merely nosedives into the ground. Sad to see.
I sent out emails far and wide asking for advice - whether to put him out of his misery or what but thankfully, most people thought that I should keep as a ‘housepet’. I have done this. Constant viligance is required with three cats in the house but the little flutterbye is surviving. As soon as the sun comes into his room, he starts moving…. I put out my finger and he climbs on and I take him around the garden putting him on flowers. He just loves my yellow Wallflower at present and gets very excited when I put him on dandelions. I pick fresh flowers each day and he pulls himself all over these feeding - fascinating to watch. I trickle sugar/water mixture (just a little bit of sugar into a saucer of hot water - just so you can taste the sugar and no more - and allow to cool). into the center of camellia flowers and he will sit there for hours feeding on and off. Alongside of his flowers, I have a branch of sheoak (Casuarina) and when he tires of his flowers he can pull himself up this branch and survey his world from there.
Who knows if I am doing the right thing in prolonging his life but I feel its the only option for me.
Gill in Russell 
September 6th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
I too have a butterfly that can’t fly. I have a small container designed for insects. But would like any suggestions. I live in an apartment, and don’t have any flowers, to give. any ideas would be helpful, I’ve made the sugar water and have bananas. I saw those used at a butterfly house we visited. found your story and was glad to see a place to comment. Hope you can reply soon. Thank you. Vanessa Here is my e-mail again.
vtrosper2001@yahoo.com
September 6th, 2006 at 10:34 pm
Hello Vanessa,
I haven’t tried this, but I’m told that Monarchs love watermelon — do you have access to watermelon? I suspect that you’re not in New ZEaland, and if you’re in North America you may get more help on the forum at Monarch Watch, that’s monarchwatch.org.
Anyway, try the melon, it shoudl work. Good luck!
Jacqui
January 16th, 2007 at 11:54 am
how long has your butterfly lived for
January 31st, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Hi Guys. I’ve also helped with the Butterflys that aren’t able to fly. I’ve found a little Honey on your finger for them will give the Butterfly heaps of energy.