found injured butterfly...need help!

[quiche]

Semjase wrote in message <19990626223122.07138.00004762 at ng-bd1.aol.com>...
>>Subject: found injured butterfly...need help!
>>From: "quiche" <quiche at longisland.com>
>>Date: Sat, 26 June 1999 10:11 PM EDT
>>Message-id: <930449829.985.10 at news.remarQ.com>
>>
>>I found a butterfly on my patio with a deformed wing.  I am not sure if
this
>>is an injury or a genetic defect, but it cannot fly.
>>
>>Should I attempt to sustain its life?  How do I provide food and shelter?
>>What would be the most humane action?
>>
>>Can anyone help??
>>
>Depends on how bad he is, if it can walk around with a lot of energy it
could
>be kept as a pet for a few weeks.  You must provide an adequate living
space
>and material to walk on since it cannot fly.  Butterflies have problems
with
>getting a grip on smooth surfaces.
>
>They can be fed on a sucrose or fructose solution of under 10%.  Many
>Nymphalids will feed by themselves but swallowtails often require force
>feeding.  Use a small plastic container such as a soda bottle cap to
contain
>the nectar. Old watermelon works wonders too.
>
>The damage you observe could be due to numerous environmental factors.
>
>Best Wishes
>
>S.
>
>

Thank you so much for your reply!

He is able to walk around.  I was afraid birds would get him, so I put him
in a large metal watering can.  I will move him to some sort of box
tomorrow.

Will sugar and water work?

I will let you know what happens!