bst '' emergency! HELP!!!

13 years ago

I just tried my hand at rearing bst in the house. My first "baby" emerged today at 2:20 pm. She is still inside drying her wings. While checking on her I noticed (at 4:45 pm) that I had another new arrival :)!!!!

Then I became worried...it will not be ready to go outside until after dark! What do I do???? Temps here in cental oh are going down to 53 degrees tonight.

Please help me as quickly as you can...not sure what to do!

Thanks,

"New mom" Melissa

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Comments (6)

runmede
13 years ago
After the butterfly dries its wings, then put it into a dark room for the night or cover the container with something dark. Before you do, mist the cage, but not the butterfly. This will provide water. In the morning, when things warm up, let it go. They can withstand lower temps than you think. I had Zebra Swallowtails show up after I let them go--the next two days were down to 25 degrees.
mbhoneybee63
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks runmede...I had let the female go an hr or so ago and decided to move the male since it looked like he was fairly dry. I gently offered my finger and he climbed on for the ride outside. I put him on the zinnia's (photo op) and he flew away about 10 minutes later....into the neighbors yard of ourse :) Thanks for the help...I panicked! Raising butterfly "kid's" is hard ;)!
Melissa
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Tony G
13 years ago
Congrats on your new kids Melissa!

I wouldn't worry about 53 degrees unless it's raining. I'm not sure about BST's but monarchs nestle themselves in the leaves of trees at night (usually pretty high up). I would imagine the BST's do the same thing.

In case it gets REALLY cold it's a good idea to keep at least one nectar potted plant in case of emergencies. If you have an enclosed porch, that would be a great place for an overnight stay. But if not, a cage is definitely a good option too.

4:45 seems late for a fall hatching and sun drying your wings. The latest monarch hatching I've seen is about 2pm, but most are out between 630-830 am...I think cooler temps in the fall cause them to hatch later (just an observation)

The latest I've ever had a monarch fly off? about 830pm...off my finger straight into our ash.

Enjoy your weekend! Tony
bananasinohio
13 years ago
Don't worry, butterflies eclose during all kinds of inclement weather. A black swallowtail can suvive over seven days without feeding. See Below.
-Elisabeth

Journal of the New York Entomological Society Â© 1987 New York Entomological Society.
Abstract
To investigate the effect of inclement weather on mortality in adult butterflies, black swallowtails were tethered to typical night roosts and monitored during favorable and adverse weather periods. Fair weather mortality averaged less than 10%, yet mortality during weather-prolonged roosting was about 35%. This significant difference was primarily due to increased predation during daylight periods. Starvation was restricted to older butterflies since freshly-emerged individuals could survive 7 or more days without feeding.
KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
13 years ago
I had a BST eclose yesterday. It was a big surprise to me since I figured my BST chrysalises would be overwintering. Seems rather late for them to be squeezing in another brood in central Ohio.

KC
terrene
13 years ago
I had 2 BSTs eclose on Saturday, and 2 more that are becoming clear today but haven't eclosed yet (today is only 60s, mostly cloudy). So they will probably eclose and be released by tomorrow, which is supposed to be sunnier than today, thank goodness.

I thought it was a bit too late for them as well - but was thinking that maybe the reason they are still eclosing is because the tank is kept inside the kitchen, and it is much warmer inside the house at night. The BST's might not be getting the right message about the weather and how cold it gets at night??

I'm hoping that when they they are released they fly south some place warmer than here!