Hi
I was hoping to get some advice please. Yesterday afternoon I found a monarch that must have come out of the chrysalis earlier that day. Unfortunately it looks as though she hasn't managed to hang upside down until her wings dried - they are still crinkled up (they would be about 70% there). She is fluttering about and trying to straighten them but can't.
What can I do to help her unfold them?
Thanks
Once the wings have dried, they can't be unfolded. How badly are they crinkled? If only the outer edge is crinkled, you can trim the wings with scissors (they don't feel it) to take off the crinkled part. To get an idea, this is a butterfly we found flying around. Even with this much wing gone, it could still fly fine. BUT at a certain point, it's too much and the butterfly will not be able to fly. http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/images/tatteredmonarch400.jpg
Thanks Edith.
Unfortunately the inner parts are crinkled ie it looks like the wings do about 20 minutes after they emerge from the chrysalis.
I guess I will just look after her as I am not sure how well she would do out there if she cannot fly.
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