Hi,
I recently hatched 4 Vanessa Cardui butterflies but all except 1 cannot fly. They try to but they just fall and shred there wings. Also, they refuse to eat. Sugar water, honey solution, fruit, nothing! Also one broke it’s leg. Will it be ok?
Thanks!
Hi Luna,
My first supposition is that the wings and other parts of the butterfly were not able to unfold, short after it hatched out from the cocoon. For example the snout consist of two parts, that should be linked, but I think you already know this. Had you left the butterfly alone when it came out of the cocoon to unfold the wings? If it is so, I don't know how you can repair it, but maybe there are experts, who have experiences with this.
Best regards
Constantin
Hello, did you try to hand feed them? There are some butterflies that need handfeeding to start eating... Had to do that myself too recently
Will it be ok?
It most likely won't. If the wings didn't unfold properly and they are dried in a way that doesn't allow the butterfly to fly there is no chance of fixing that. Needless to say that a broken leg (I guess it broke off since the structure of insect legs don't really allow for broken legs) is not fixable either. In many cases, both of these issues are not so bad that the butterfly couldn't survive a while (in captivity of course). This applies provided it is able to feed and somehow hold itself to surfaces with the remaining legs. If it is only falling around, unable to feed then it probably would be better to just stick it in the freezer.
Greetings Dennis
There wings are perfect but they just can’t seem to fly
Well, that came right before I wrote the above... in this case, they may have some kind of other issue. Sometimes there are individuals that just can't fly for whatever reason. I don't know whether it's a coordination issue (birds for example, sometimes have problems with their balance) or misdeveloped muscles. It could be a multitude of reasons regardless there is usually nothing you can do about it.
Try with higher temperature or some sunshine, can be too cold
Do any of you think a humidifier would work?
It’s always around 70 degrees F.
Well, that came right before I wrote the above... in this case, they may have some kind of other issue. Sometimes there are individuals that just can't fly for whatever reason. I don't know whether it's a coordination issue (birds for example, sometimes have problems with their balance) or misdeveloped muscles. It could be a multitude of reasons regardless there is usually nothing you can do about it.
The wings look fine. I have a feeling it’s with the muscles
Humidity doesn't affect the flying ability of butterflies in any way. Also, it is usually quite easy to discern between a butterfly that is too cold to fly and one that can't fly properly. They will try to fly but just fall to the ground and slide along over the ground. Often times this is coupled with problems holding onto surfaces. If they are cold, they just won't fly at all and close their wings.
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