A Monarch that won't fly?

Butterfly that can't fly
by: Anonymous

I completely understand how somebody could get attached to a Monarch Butterfly. They ARE personable little creatures. I've had outbreaks occasionally of OE and it honestly breaks my heart to see some with all parts intact, and even perfect looking wings only to find the poor creature can't work her wings well enough to ever fly. OH and I know, they want to so badly, they flutter and flutter then nap then flutter again...for days. It's awful to witness.

This advice I'm about to share is NOT a professional's and I'd welcome any constructive responses if what I'm going to write poses any harm.....I've gotten able to tell which chrysalides might be infected with OE by the color or some other subtle abnormality so if I have doubts about any, I quarantine these from others I'm raising. Those that manage to walk around relatively well but can't fly I always, always feed. And then their time's spent riding on my shoulder. I take them everywhere with me on errands, doing yardwork and they don't jump off. It's as though they realize it's the safest spot to be if you can't fly. I've noticed that some of these OE 'babies' 'forget' to weave the two strands of their proboscis together so it can function as a drinking straw. But if in two parts,it prevents them from being able to eat. But they can be coaxed sometimes to weave this and then to eat.
First, get some room temp. juicy fruit or watermelon etc. ready. Then approach the butterfly very calmly and gently, very gently, you can use a dull lead pencil tip for instance, begin to carefully unroll their proboscis--- so they notice it. Some will weave then. And quickly hold them by their wings in the proper way, ... and place their front legs on a juicy fruit part so they can see and smell and they just might eat right away. I've had some that it takes many many trial runs before they finally eat so patience and devotion are required! Hope this helps.
I can't help but feel sad that probably the writer that described the butterfly that wouldn't fly may not have known to find out how to at least feed the poor thing. I figure they will have a short life anyway and very limited, we might as well do what we can to make them comfortable at least. I empathize with her.
Anyway, I keep my 'special needs' monarchs inside with me.away from all others. I was careful NOT to have them spread OE on surfaces but limited their places to my shoulder or the cage with some nectar flowers in it ...then cleaned all with bleach solution.
Anyway, I've 'worn' some of the sweet creatures and honestly, they could leave anytime they want but they don't. And I just try to lavish them with what they like except of course helping them fly. I DO pretend with them in my hand and they like it. Whoever knows that I'm NOT crazy when I talk this way knows Monarchs.

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Submitted by: Anonymous

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I completely understand how somebody could get attached to a Monarch Butterfly. They ARE personable little creatures. I've had outbreaks occasionally of OE and it honestly breaks my heart to see some with all parts intact, and even perfect looking wings only to find the poor creature can't work her wings well enough to ever fly. OH and I know, they want to so badly, they flutter and flutter then nap then flutter again...for days. It's awful to witness. This advice I'm about to share is NOT a professional's and I'd welcome any constructive responses if what I'm going to write poses any harm.....I've gotten able to tell which chrysalides might be infected with OE by the color or some other subtle abnormality so if I have doubts about any, I quarantine these from others I'm raising. Those that manage to walk around relatively well but can't fly I always, always feed. And then their time's spent riding on my shoulder. I take them everywhere with me on errands, doing yardwork and they don't jump off. It's as though they realize it's the safest spot to be if you can't fly. I've noticed that some of these OE 'babies' 'forget' to weave the two strands of their proboscis together so it can function as a drinking straw. But if in two parts,it prevents them from being able to eat. But they can be coaxed sometimes to weave this and then to eat. First, get some room temp. juicy fruit or watermelon etc. ready. Then approach the butterfly very calmly and gently, very gently, you can use a dull lead pencil tip for instance, begin to carefully unroll their proboscis--- so they notice it. Some will weave then. And quickly hold them by their wings in the proper way, ... and place their front legs on a juicy fruit part so they can see and smell and they just might eat right away. I've had some that it takes many many trial runs before they finally eat so patience and devotion are required! Hope this helps. I can't help but feel sad that probably the writer that described the butterfly that wouldn't fly may not have known to find out how to at least feed the poor thing. I figure they will have a short life anyway and very limited, we might as well do what we can to make them comfortable at least. I empathize with her. Anyway, I keep my 'special needs' monarchs inside with me.away from all others. I was careful NOT to have them spread OE on surfaces but limited their places to my shoulder or the cage with some nectar flowers in it ...then cleaned all with bleach solution. Anyway, I've 'worn' some of the sweet creatures and honestly, they could leave anytime they want but they don't. And I just try to lavish them with what they like except of course helping them fly. I DO pretend with them in my hand and they like it. Whoever knows that I'm NOT crazy when I talk this way knows Monarchs.

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