Hello! Yesterday I found an injured American lady (by my guess) butterfly outside — it seems to have a small tear in its wing. I brought it inside last night from the cold and gave it a sugar water cup. It doesn’t seem to have actually drank any of the sugar water, and is now mostly just lying on its side, though it is still alive and will flap its wings if I (gently) poke it. I’m wondering if anyone has any tips or knows if it will get better, or if it’s a lost cause and is already dying. If I can care for it, are there any butterfly terrarium kits people recommend?
Edit: It actually seems to be a Gulf Fritillary butterfly after a little more research.
Sometimes you can very gently use a toothpick to uncoil the proboscis and direct it to sugar water. If you try this be very patient and use a steady hand. If a butterfly is really exhausted sometimes it’s unable to drink on its own. Sugar water should perk it up. As for enclosures, I like this one for my caterpillars, and it should work out fine for butterflies too.
I see a lot of these as my garden has both a preferred nectar source (H. patens) and the desired host for caterpillars (P. foetida), and I can tell you, sadly, if it is on its side, you are likely too late.
If you want to give a preferred last meal, offer a chunk of mushy banana. What a pretty little last respite you are providing.
I often run “day hospitals” for insects and my success rate is only about 50%, so please know there is likely nothing you could have done. Once a butterfly tips over, it’s usually done. :(
Thank you :') At first I thought just the wing was a little torn and it could possibly recover, but I’ve seen this morning that its right legs are injured/missing too, so you are definitely right. I am hoping I can get it to drink a little nectar since I don’t have any bananas.
