Butterfly anguish: a deformed BST

I have a few BST chrysalides left from last summer's batch; it's been just amazing to see the butterflies eclose after so many months of suspended animation! The 23rd just eclosed, but it's SO sad, the wings are just not right. They are not unfurling, and look so tattered. He's a spunky little guy, he gripped my hand and toddled up my arm. But he won't be able to fly. I feel so awful, what should I do with him? I have some beautiful purple salvia blooming, DH says I should put him in there and just let nature take it's course. But it's killing me, I know he doesn't have a chance.

Put him down quickly. No sense prolonging the dispair and agony.

I had a female Gulf Frit like that. Her problem was several males trying to mate before she could fully eclose. When I saw several GFs clustered around some leaves I peered over to look and there she was clinging to her chrysalis but her wings were dried into tangled mess. I placed her into a cage and then set her out back to feed on duranta blossoms. She must've been thirstly because she took to the blossoms quickly but even so, I figured it was best to put her down instead of leaving her out to fall prey to a lizard or bird.

~ Cat

Oh Cat, that's awful, how sad. I don't know if I can bear just stomping on him. But I hate the thought of him being eaten by something, that could be a much slower death. Oh I hate this.......

I know it's a terrible feeling to have to put down a butterfly (and you won't forget it either!) - more so when we make it our goal to raise and release. Still you must look on the bright side - 22 others made it to adulthood that probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for you :o)

~ Cat

Thanks Cat.........I feel so horrible.........

I've had some Monarchs eclose like that and it's so sad! I keep them in the cage and feed them until it's their time, which is usually a couple days. I had one that lived for 2 weeks, that has been the exception though. I can't bear to 'put them down', it's just too hard.

I'm not sure feeding them to spiders etc is necessarily a slow death and at least it's not a waste. I try to feed hatchlings and give them a good shot at doing well but so far not much luck. Next step are the spiders because I like them and don't choose to encourage the brown lizards. It's the circle of life.

Please don't yell at me,

Maggie

I had that happen to a GF in the fall. I forgot who on this forum told me but they said to get some gatorade and put it on a Q-tip and feed it that way. She only lasted 3 days but I did get some "bonding time" with her. She would also crawl up my arm and just hang out.
I actually would walk around with her on my arm ;) My husband thought I was crazy but then again he thinks I am crazy for raising butterflies to begin with ;)
Oh well!

Lisa

I know what you mean Lisa! Mine thinks I'm nuts too, especially when I was crying over my poor little crippled butterfly yesterday. I understand what you're saying Maggie, no criticism from me! I just couldn't put him out there though, he was agonized enough I felt, just trying to stretch out wings that wouldn't open. I finally asked my husband to put the poor creature out of his misery, and not talk about it anymore.
And then this morning, a beautiful healthy female eclosed. I kind of took that to mean I was forgiven. I've got five more wintering-over chrysalides from last season, I hope they'll eclose before I start gathering new cats! Thanks for your notes everyone, I appreciate it!

When I have to do it, I make sure it's very quick, so they don't feel anything, then say a little prayer....hopefully there's a butterfly heaven where they will have lovely healthy wings and bodies and fly as much as they want.

Lovely thought Linda! You and I think alike.

Faster and less painful way for you and the little one is to place them on a tissue and fold it over then place them in the freezer. Off to sleep they go and fast.

Sorry to hear of this stressful event for you.

We had a BST with deformed wings last year. My daughter (who was 5) was so sad. I didn't have the heart to put it down so I thought I would put it on my butterfly bush and let nature take its course. With in literal seconds a yellow jacket came zooming in and attacked it. It knocked it to the ground and began eating it! We were in such shock we couldn't react for a few seconds but shooed the yellow jacket away. My husband came outside and put the poor little BST down :( It was a very sad event.

Meadow thanks for the tip on the freezer I will keep it in mind in case we end up with any more disabled butterflies.

Thanks Plexi, I feel better now that I didn't put the poor thing out on a flower, that's what I'd thought about doing. Meadow, where did you get the freezer idea? I'd be a little scared to try it; if I looked in the freezer and the poor thing was struggling, I think I would really lose it.

The freezer doesn't make them struggle, their metabolism just slows down, in this case all the way to zero. It's as if fall/winter came on suddenly. In photography, it's a technique that is used frequently to enable the photographer to get a picture and then set it free rather than kill and pose it.

Maggie

I am glad I just saw this about putting them in the freezer. Just this morning one of my Monarch's hatched and fell to the ground. I found her on her wings at the bottom of the cage flailing her legs around. I got her calmed down and she was hanging on my finger for an hour or so but her wings never dried right. I just checked her and she is trying to fly but can't because of her wings. I guess it would be better to help her along so she doesn't suffer anymore.
Thanks for the tip Meadow!

Lisa

I ran across this yesterday

http://www.livemonarch.com/hospital.htm

At the bottom left they show a monarch that was given a whole new set of wings. Didn't know you could do wing transplants.

Good grief Mary, who would've thunk it? At first I thought it was a joke, but it looks like it's for real! I don't know if I would ever have the nerve to try it. Thanks for the interesting link!!!

Wow!! Thanks for the link Mary!! I don't know if I would have the nerve to try it but you never know. I can just imagine the comments my DH would make if he saw me doing that...... men! lol

Lisa