Backstory- over a year ago (yes I am sure) I ended up with a Papilio eurymedon cat on a plant pot that was transported to Morro Bay where it quickly pupated. It never emerged from chrysalis and so I assumed not viable. I set the chrysalis on some wood in my patio. Two days ago, I went to my patio and found an adult pale swallowtail butterfly on the ground near where the chrysalis was placed. I took it inside as it was 45 degrees that morning and have it in a net enclosure. It is very cold here for flight but I see it will warm up this week. Since it is soooo early for this butterfly to have emerged, WHAT SHOULD I DO? If I release it, where is the most favorable location near me? I am in Morro Bay!
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Hi and welcome to the forum! The first thing to do, I think, would be to find something for it to eat (I’m pretty sure swallowtails need to eat as adults). I don’t think it would be able to mate if it is out of season, so I guess just try to keep it going until it warms up, and then release it. Hopefully it will be okay, but sometimes there’s just not a lot you can do.
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I was able to successfully feed sugar water today! So I feel okay about holding it one more day and release tomorrow. Thanks!
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No problem! Glad it worked!