When you say they look crumpled at the bottom are you saying the entire hindwing is crumpled? I am wondering if perhaps she has OE...

Was there any damage, that you recall, to the chrysalis?

Was she a healthy larva?

There are a variety of reasons for a butterfly to have 'bad' wings. With Monarchs, a bigger culprit, however, is going to be OE. IF it is OE, then I would euthanize.

Do you have access to a microscope? If so, you can check for the spores.

{{gwi:525195}}

Hi Tdogman,

Here is a picture and she looks pretty bad. I purchased all of the Monarchs from Shady Oaks Butterfly Farm and some died and I have released 9. This one seemed pretty normal to me but then I am a newbie and have had no experience looking for disease. They have all been on swamp milkweed which I got from a creek that runs by a park near my boss' home. I only started this to educate the children I nanny for in mid June and did not have time to plant Milkweed in my yard. I guess the Milkweed she ate was bad.

How do I now clean out the pavilion that I need to use for 30 BST? They are in all stages and so far are eating a lot and seem to be healthy. They are all being fed on dill and parsley from Whole Foods and from one Fennel plant in my back yard.

How do I euthanize--just put her in the freezer?

Betty

My method is to put her in a baggy then into the freezer.

As far as cleaning the pop-up, I'd wash it using an organic dishwashing detergent made from coconut oils then soak it for ten minutes in a bleach solution then soak it in clear water for ten minutes, then rinse and air dry in the sun (UV light).

Have you checked out my blog? I cover a lot of this stuff there. :)

tdogMOM

Thanks tdogMom,

I euthanized her, and I am cleaning the pavilion now. Guess I missed that part on your website. I did not realize how bad the butterfly looked until I saw the picture on my computer. Guess I will grow my own Milkweed next year.

Betty