Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found this butterfly fluttering around on the ground. It is obviously unable to fly but there appears to be nothing wrong with it. I have had it now in a 10 gallon aquarium with a mesh top for about 2 weeks. It is being fed daily a sugar-water solution I found on the internet.

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas about it's inability to fly. I also noticed that after it "eats" it tends to flutter it's wings rapidly for a short period of time. I am curious about this behavior.

Hi Joel,

Interesting dilemma. I am surprised it has fed for as long as it has! Does it have all its legs? There should be 6, but sometimes the front two are "hidden" when folded in against the body. If all the legs are there - and working - then I am stumped. If missing, it could be the cause of not being able to land and to "get off the ground." But they also "taste" with their feet so I am assuming he has them all and working. Btw, it is a male, you can tell by the scent glands, on the hind wing (see link below)

PHwyvern raises a lot of these and will hopefully be able to help you out more. When the time comes that he seems to be giving up, you could lay it on a tissue in a plastic container and another on top, then cover. Place in fridge for about a day then into the freezer. You can then mount it in a Riker mount (in batting, not pinned). I am NOT a collector, but if nature has limited one of her offspring and has come into my hands, I feel it is OK to do as it is educational.

lele
male/female monarch

>>I found this butterfly fluttering around on the ground. It is obviously unable to fly but there appears to be nothing wrong with it. I have had it now in a 10 gallon aquarium with a mesh top for about 2 weeks. It is being fed daily a sugar-water solution I found on the internet.
>>
>>I am wondering if anyone has any ideas about it's inability to fly. I also noticed that after it "eats" it tends to flutter it's wings rapidly for a short period of time. I am curious about this behavior.
>>

It's possible that the monarch is infected with the OE parasite even though it's not visibly showing most of the key symptoms. It's also possible that there is a genetic defect in the wing muscles causing the inability to fly.
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Wyvern

The Invert Collection:
* (1) Aphonopelma anax - Texas Tan
* (1) Avicularia geroldi - Brazilian Blue Pinktoe
* (1) Brachypelma auratum - Mexican Flameknee
* (1) Brachypelma emilia - Mexican Red-leg
* (1) Brachypelma smithi - Mexican Red-knee
* (1) Cyclosternum fasciatum - Costa Rican Tiger Rump
* (1) Eupalaestrus campestratus - Pink Zebra Beauty
* (2) Grammostola pulchra - Brazilian Blacks
* (1) Lasiodora parahybana - Brazilian Salmon Birdeater
* (1) Nhandu chromatus / Lasidora cristata - Brazilian Red & White (aka White Striped Birdeater)
* (1) Nhandu coloratovillosus - Brazilian Black & White
* (1) Theraphosa blondi - Goliath Bird Eater
* (1) Latrodectus variolus - Northern Widow w/egg sac
* (~12) Latrodectus variolus - Northern Widow spiderlings

I am enough of a scientist to understand the reasons for much of it, but enough of a caring being to often find it sad.