Raising Monarchs - How To Feed Adults (Help The Monarch Butterfly)

[@eri7772]

i have a rescue butterfly (peacock species) who was in my back garden. he's been with me about 7/8 months now!! i didn't know they lived that long. he only has one antenna, one of his feet is damaged, and his wings are also damaged so he can't fly. he lives in a tank with native plants in (they are thriving! though i have to water them gently everyday) and i try and feed him as much as i possibly can. i never knew butterflies have so much personality till i got him, he is always cleaning his face and wiggling his antenna and generally just being cute. he's very comfortable around me now, he sits on my collarbone for warmth and likes me taking him outside to sunbathe. i think he must have been almost caught by a bird or maybe a gust of wind and that's where he got his injuries from? anyway, he is in good hands.

[@Woolmouse]

I came across a butterfly in my yard laying in the grass. Her front legs weren't working and she couldn't fly. I brought her and she still alive and thanks to your video I am feeding her at this point. I'm hoping feeding her will help I've named her Jemma. thank you so much for your video. I'll send pictures if you want I'm not sure what's happened to her or why she only has two legs and cannot fly. Thank you again. BTW I have followed your videos and raised 30 butterflies this year hoping to help in your efforts. It's been a great experience.

[@MrLundScience]

That's a shame that she is currently the way she is, but it's kind of you to be a care taker to her. I hope things improve as far as flight goes. While butterflies don't heal body parts, people have told me that they have had some that can not fly, but after feeding them and some days later, they picked up the skill. Not saying it's a likelihood, but a possibility.

[@Debbiesnc]

Mr. Lund I am counting on my hope for this to happen today. If not I will figure out which choice I have for my somewhat disabled Pilgrim, the wandering butterfly who as a caterpillar made a chrysalis on my wooden desk leg resulting in a poor start that maybe we can help turn around. It is a great learning experience as well as a feels-right decision! We will be working w/ your videos as we feed him the honey 1-6 honey and water mixture and see how it goes, thanks, again.

[@user-pf1hk1rf9y]

Hollyann same here but mine legs are okey

[@petmom100yt]

No way my Caterpillar hatched out of her pupa today and her name is Jemma 🤣

[@geriannecarillo5113]

I came across one on my sidewalk in September, likely having been in a collision with a car. I put it on a flower as a safe place to live out the rest of its life. But it didn’t die. I ended up bringing it in and feeding it, and it stayed with us for 107 days. What an amazing being I had the pleasure of knowing, and helping!

[@cindyh2563]

This was helpful! I had a female that eclosed on 10/16/22! And it was quite cold outside for several days, so I made the honey solution (the monarch wasn’t interested in my old coneflowers or mums), then used a pin to draw her straw out to pull from the small sponge with the honey solution. I think she drank, but I was able to release this past weekend when it warmed to 75 on Saturday! Halleluijah!

[@27Tigress]

I did this for the first time... and was so nervous!!!!!!!! But it worked! And my butterfly was very happy. Thanks so much for these vids.

[@MrLundScience]

You're absolutely welcome! That's great to hear. And for every thanks I get for these videos, understand, 10 times the thanks comes back your way for helping out the Monarchs, be it with these videos or without them. Thank you for being involved!

[@27Tigress]

Welcome! Seems that they need our help! I have shared my journey on my social media and other people are having interest in it as well. So it's def bringing awareness!

[@ophadamia2579]

I just tasted the honey water and it tasted like real nectar

[@blepblep7245]

is it the one in your pfp? so cute

[@seemasingh3343]

How many time should I need to feed it

[@coreywigent7693]

Rescued a monarch butterfly on my evening walk. It was in the middle of the road flapping it's wings but not going anywhere. The wings aren't damaged at all it just seems tired/hungry. So i pick it up and took it home with me. Thank you for this vid, it helped me feed this butterfly.

[@aislinnklein9599]

So in the beginning, you said “you might wanna spend some time with it after you emerged it from egg to adult” it’s truly incredible cause after I let the butterflies go, they stick around my area and lay eggs! I feed them in cause of bad weather, (wind, rain, etc) and I have to keep them in 3 days at least. Love your video Rich!!💕💓

[@MrLundScience]

It's a very awesome experience. They almost seem "tame" with me after they emerge for the first day (or two if I have to keep them overnight) compared to wild ones that won't let me get close and want very little or nothing to do with me.

[@brittanyschweik7729]

Hello! You may have answered this, but what's the recommended time frame for release after enclosing?

[@Debbiesnc]

He has this info in his series of videos; one in particular is dedicated to just that stage of the Monarch's journey! Good luck

[@Petopiaa]

@@brittanyschweik7729about 2 days

[@geriannecarillo5113]

Thank you so much, Rich, for putting this valuable information out for consumption! It was challenging for me to educate myself on how to care for “Fluff”, our little guy we found on the sidewalk in September 2019 - he had likely had a collision with a car, and had 3 of 4 wing parts damaged. My daughter and I chose to help him. We placed him on a flowering plant for several days and, though he couldn’t fly, he seemed to be getting stronger. It began to get cold (I live in the northeast), so we took him in and learned all we could about monarch care (this was our first experience with caring for a butterfly - though we are nature enthusiasts, we believe in a hands off approach). Your site and videos helped me immensely in my learning curve! Fluff died yesterday, after spending 107 days with us. A very special time, made easier, thanks to you!

[@MrLundScience]

That's pretty awesome that you gave Fluff what care and compassion you could, and for such a long time! That's some commendable dedication!

[@spunkyd8394]

Hi, Gerianne - What all did you feed Fluff during his time with y'all? We just had one we were caring for, and we loved him so much. He was a part of that last generation of the year, too, but we found him upon his return from Mexico. He was with us for 12 days. 107 is incredible.

[@aprairiegothic]

Just found a monarch yesterday with a broken wing that's beyond repair. I'm keeping it because I don't have the heart to let it die. Have been using confectioners sugar, but will get some honey too. Thank you so much for this video, I'd like to make it as healthy and happy as possible.

[@MrLundScience]

Sorry that this occurred, but I'm glad that you were able to use this video to offer comfort. Thank you for your compassion.

[@suziperret468]

Thanks for the honey water tip. I live in southern Alabama now, from California, where I helped out the Western Monarchs. The warm season last a long time here and my caterpillars were given more milkweed to supply their veracious appetite . Then the adults kept dropping by to lay more eggs, so I ended up with more caterpillars out of season..To keep everyone warm, I tented my large flower box with clear painters plastic over curved arches and clothespins. Then as winter approached more covers and blankets, topped with plastic to keep them dry from the rain. All of the covers are removed each day so the caterpillars and milkweed can get sunshine. So far ....they’ve done very well. At this time Feb. 8th, I have 4 chrysalis and 2 end stage cats, and the milkweed is thriving in the box , with some recently purchased nectar flowers, and ready for the normal time of year when the Monarchs are plentiful. I know it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature, and I do understand that it’s not responsible to grow them out of season. Supposedly some of the Monarchs stay the winter around here in Fort Morgan and the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala. Hope my babies find their way. The pandemic has really kept me at home so I was able to observe their life cycle so closely that I learned more about them that I never knew. For instance their beautiful geometric eggs were a complete surprise. And their bright green jeweled chrysalis, looks just like an earring, with gold. There’s plenty more about these gorgeous and hardworking pollinators, to be discovered. Everyone needs to help out with milkweed so they will not go extinct. They need to be protected. Thanks again for your passion.

[@denisef1153]

I’m in South Florida- back in December I released 3 monarch’s. The caterpillars came with the milkweed plants I bought. Well one of the butterflies hasn’t gone too far. She comes around a lot and likes to look into the screened patio where she was born. As if she remembers. She flies around in circles around me as if she’s saying hello. So she left a lot of eggs for me. I started with 25 but a few didn’t make it past a caterpillar adult I opened the door in the cages so if they want they can get out of the small cage and hang on the screen panels to air their wings and do their thing if they enclose when I’m not home. Plus, I want my private time with them before I release them. I’m so excited. And the weather here has been perfect

[@dinamargaritab5757]

Hey! today i´m freeing my first Monarch Buttefly, thank you so much!

[@MrLundScience]

Great job! You're welcome, but more importantly, thank YOU for helping them out!

[@helpthespirits3168]

Yay for you

[@stn5334]

This is so cuuuuute I LOVE when they open their wings while they’re eating

[@rickymanning9951]

Love your Videos. I am a 10 year Honeybee Keeper in Western NC. I seen this Video about feeding the Monarchs. May I add to the Honey part? The Monarch Raiser if they are going to feed their Butterfly's Honey: They should buy Honey from a Well Trusted Local Bee Keeper. The honey you buy in the store is 90% of the time is not true Honey, It has Honey in it , It also has anything from white sugar water to maple syrup to chemicals (herbicides, insecticides, ...) in them. Thanks. Keep the videos coming. I am starting to study more about Monarchs and will try to raise some this summer 2018.

[@MrLundScience]

That's great advice, and well taken. Honey that I used came from a farmer's market in North Carolina, close to where my sister lives. It's definitely worth bringing up for others watching this video. Thanks for the help with that!

[@loriehesselmeyer6573]

@@MrLundScience i live in Daytona Beach Florida i have been raising and releasing Monarchs all summer with Great success now its December n our last day its gonna b 81i have 4 more Chrysalis that are still really green i have1 that hatched yesterday around 11 but stayed around all day n night i made a mixture of your recipe to help her b stronger its looking weak standing but then starts to lean over some. i have moved him inside for now cause its damp with a little chill gonna b 80 i think today so hopefully it will b ok but im wondering what to do with my chrysalis that gonna hatch when its gonna b cold n raining?

[@jewelvibes6765]

Lorie Hesselmeyer believe in them, they with surprise you!

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

I captured 50 honey bees so far this spring. I'm in NC too

[@catsmith233]

Can you send me some honey in wilmington

[@pattyelizondo2112]

Thank you so much for your response. I did keep her and feed her for 2 weeks and 3 days. She has passed this am, but not without experiencing outside, I took her out every single day to hang out in the milkweed and the garden. Thanks again.

[@MrLundScience]

She had a compassionate care taker. Thank you for doing what you could.

[@jacklongo3599]

Hey Rich,what a wealth of information your channel has. I live in southern California and started my project on raising monarchs in Feburary 2020! Just released my first five monarchs out of about 25. What a GEAT experience to see them fly way with such anticipation gliding on the air currents! Absolutely Beautiful!! I will be expanding my efforts in the near future for more new flyers of the golden black monarchs!! Please keep those videos rolling! Thank again for all that you do for the monarchs. Jack and Lori.

[@MrLundScience]

Sounds like some successful efforts for you already this season! Very cool! New vid came out today. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h56naH2vlr92ecU I'll do my best to keep pertinent videos coming. Several milkweed experiments are in various stages of shooting.

[@christineflowers5870]

I want to thank you! And I hope you receive this comment. Generally, your series is my go to with Monarch Butterfly questions. This morning, I had a butterfly who wasn't flying after about 2 days... maybe a little more. I put her on a flower, didn't eat. So, I did exactly what you said in this video. It was easy, and she drank the honey water. Back on the flower, nothing. I did it one more time with the honey water... waited....And she finally flew away! Thank you so much!

[@Reiyui2222]

thank you! i found a butterfly with a bent wing and now i have to look after him

[@patriciapinon8401]

My 6yr old son and I came across your videos. We live in Texas and it’s The 1st of November and we currently have 7 caterpillars we are raising. We will be giving them this mixture to try and help them make their trip. Thank you for all the great information and tips.

[@pinklady7184]

What happened since?

[@reverendgirl40]

Thank you!!! We had a butterfly hatch a couple of days ago but the weather has been cold and rainy and I didn't want to let her out. I gave her some flowers but she wasn't interested. But I did exactly what you said and she gulped it right down! So cool!

[@MrLundScience]

Great success! Thanks for helping these awesome animals out!

[@catherinehawkins2450]

I am becoming an enthusiast after the successful raising of a butterfly last fall. So this year I have expanded from one milkweed plant to many, thanks to nature and have built a large butterfly garden. Thanks for all the information, hoping to help lots more this summer and fall.

[@MrLundScience]

Great to have you aboard! If you have questions as you go, I still answer them in these comments sections. If I know the answer, I supply it. If I don't, I admit it, and try to find the answer.

[@mariahubbard1534]

Thank you so very much for all that you do! I have been raising Monarchs for nearly 16 years now, and you have taught me some very important things that I never knew until this summer.

[@MrLundScience]

We all learn from each other. And those at this less than I have been have taught me much as well. Experience is so very valuable, and yet, the less experienced are capable of uncovering cool ideas and less known information all the time. I learn so much from what people bring up in the comments. And truly, sometimes just asking a question can point me in a new direction as I seek out the answer, and I wind up learning some awesome new things I hadn't known. I've always been confused why everyone doesn't love learning new things all of the time. Makes life that much more interesting.

[@Xikatt]

Thank you - this video helped me learn how to feed a poor crumpled wing butterfly I have. I was able to feed the butterfly successfully!

[@MandeepHarmonicaMusic]

My grandchildren came across a Monarch butterfly and thanks to your video we know how feed it now.Thankkyou for your help.

[@MrLundScience]

Happy to have helped! Thanks for nourishing your visitor!

[@lizb111]

I raise monarch caterpillars in my classroom each year, and I always cut an orange in half and lay it in the bottom of the enclosure when one ecloses. The butterfly sticks their tongue in to drink the juice with no help from me. I don’t know where I learned it, probably another teacher.

[@ladydeeslo-mo5773]

What beautiful butterflies. Thank you, for the tutorial on how to feed them.

[@MrLundScience]

You're very welcome!

[@aaliyahhhhh3299]

I found one just laying on my back porch so I brought it in... I’m gonna try this. Thanks !

[@RELangseth]

Thanks for the wonderfully clear & succinct instructions on this! I've been rearing butterflies & ornamental moths for about 40 years -- it was a perfect hobby for me when our babes started coming along -- and I continue to do so, though mainly monarchs & Eastern swallowtails. Usually about 150 per year. One of your respondents below spoke of his successful J-formation guys suddenly losing their necessary-for-pupation form and dangling down, straight-arrow. This has inexplicably happened to me a few times as well, to my great despair. HOWEVER, the last time it happened I decided to step in for Mother Nature and try to manually "crank" him into the pupation. That is, because the tip of his head was already a bit green, I thought he might be ready to pupate, if only he were in the correct position. So I cupped my hand and let his helmet-head repose there, brushing lightly against my palm until the body was slightly bent, in J-formation. Then I gently revolved my hand, clockwise, in a slow and steady rotation, round & round. My intuition was that the simulated gyrations would stimulate the green-coating release (forgot the name for that). So I sat there cranking for upwards of three minutes, finally noticing the encouraging start of further greening. . . until, maybe about 10 minutes later . . . VOILA! Total coverage/success! I can't tell you what I hero I felt like! S/he eclosed normally! Try it! ~ Jo-Ann Langseth

[@MrLundScience]

That is an awesome tip! The next time I'm in such a situation (hopefully no time soon) I'll be sure to give this a shot! Great ingenuity!

[@matsutake2]

That is JUST MAGICAL!!!!!

[@jesusgonzalez7059]

So glad I found your video. I rescued a butterfly on my morning run. It was definitely hungry! Your method worked perfectly!

[@MrLundScience]

Excellent. Glad to have helped!

[@jesusgonzalez7059]

MrLundScience I'll be contacting our science center in Seattle and see if they can take the little critter. They have a butterfly room so I'm sure they're better equipped to take care of this little one. One of its wing looks deformed or it was injured. So, if they can help it, great! If no, I'll keep it and take care of it myself!

[@MrLundScience]

Quite kind of you. It can be a rewarding experience.

[@michelebleech8766]

I ordered my first set of larvae this year and involved the neighbor kids in the release. It was so much fun, and my husband is already excited about doing it again next year. So we’re an official waystation here, with 2 types of milkweed in Maryland zone 7B. We released 12 raised from Monarch Watch larvae and 6 wild caught 5th instar caterpillars after tagging. Thank you for the helpful video!

[@susanvickery7]

This is my first time raising wild monarchs. One eclosed sometime through the night and fell to the ground. Unfortunately, the monarch was unable to pump fluid into either wing. I'm so glad I have been watching your videos. He took the nectar well this afternoon. Thank you for your help!

[@MrLundScience]

I'm sorry that happened. I've experienced similar when a Monarch eclosed during the night. Not sure why he fell, but of course, nobody was awake at the time to see. I do think it had been a windy night, though, if memory serves me correctly.

[@M.C.Blackwell]

Thank you for your help with the honey recipe. Few days ago I found what looks to be an Anise Swallowtail butterfly and think it had just emerged and unfortunately his wings are a little wrinkled. He's almost perfect but I guess a little bit of wing wrinkle prevents flying. He stays outside on the flowers during the daytime and I bring him in at night and feed him. He seems slow today and I don't think he has much time left. Your other video on what to do for a disabled butterfly was very helpful. Thanks for your help and keep up the great work as butterflies are really one of Nature's miracles

[@brigittebilodeau8579]

Thanks Mr. Lund , for all your educational videos ! They helped me along the way on my journey . First time for me to raise caterpillars to 26 beautiful all healthy butterflies. It was a lot of learning and work but well worth it . This is a wonderful hobby but you definetely need time and commitment . My husband thinks I am crazy I have been redesigning my landscape for them . I have been going to friends and neighbors to offer my seedling from the plants , nobody want to give themselves trouble it seems I would have to go in their yard and plant it myself !!! I will do it at my son's house , he has a wild backyard .thanks a million !🦋🦋🦋😇

[@MrLundScience]

Thank you very much for planting the milkweed. I'm thinking that next season, my videos need to really hit this message harder. There's been so many videos now, I don't know if that message is as clear, but that is absolutely the number one, most important way to help them.

[@zerokei9403]

My wife and I are raising Monarchs here in Australia, so there’s not much reliable information available locally. We really appreciate your informative and entertaining videos. All the best! 👍

[@thelittlethings8420]

Love all of your videos on raising Monarchs. This is my first year raising them and with the help of your informative videos, I was able to raise 4 this year! The first was an egg that a female deposited onto my milkweed. I just happened to look out into my backyard at that very moment! The next 3 were caterpillars, 1 in the 2nd instar and the other 2 in the 5th. I've released 2 so far (1 female, 1 male) and just waiting for the other 2 to emerge from their chrysalides. Now I can give them some food once they emerge so they will have enough strength for their long trip. Thank you so much!!

[@MrLundScience]

Thanks goes to you for getting involved! Every bit helps. I only did two when I first got started. That's all I felt confident with!

[@debra6084]

Hi Rich, Just wanted to let you know that we've followed your advice this entire summer and successfully raised, hatched, and released 32 Monarchs this season, so far. THANK YOU so much!!! This feeding advice was particularly welcome since Fall has definitely arrived here in Ontario, Canada and we need to delay releasing our final four butterflies for 2-3 days until the weather is more suitable. We followed your feeding instructions "to a T" and everything went perfectly! Awesome videos. :-)

[@MrLundScience]

Congratulations! Sounds like you had a very rewarding season. Happy to help my awesome neighbors to the north!

[@newfiesisters8623]

OK I will admit I am watching all your videos,...this old lady has her first two caterpillars.. planted tons of milkweed, and is fascinated! Such a peaceful way to relax! Thanks so very much! I may be addicted!

[@MrLundScience]

Some have described rearing Monarchs as "therapy without words".

[@sweetb4thesee]

Mine just hatched its December! I just set him on a house plant with small vines. I dilute the organic honey with water and let it drip on the vine next to him and he drinks it. You don’t have to grab his wings or use a toothpick. They only need a small drop at a time not a huge bowl of honey water. ❤

[@voyager6331]

I have 3 monarchs that eclosed during our FL coldspell! Your video helped me feed them, I was really having a hard time with this. Hopefully, they will be released in a couple of days. THANKS!!!

[@johncostello4978]

Hi Rich.My Milkweed plants are all covered with beautiful flowers and the Monarchs are returning to lay eggs.Started raising Monarchs end of last month.I found 21 eggs which I raised 19 0f them to adult hood and tomorrow the last to survive will be set free. 2 went into Chrysalis and them turned black after a few days. I'll take that average any day. Have another 15 eggs in O G take out containers. I have a very high tech breeding set up.Will move the cats to larger jugs when they are 1/2 inch long. I am also collecting seeds from my plants which now takes it to another level. And the beat goes on. Your season must also be getting into high gear also. Take care and good luck this season. J Costello

[@MrLundScience]

Hey John. Yeah, that definitely sounds like you're at a whole new level, and in many ways with your process, beyond what I'm doing. You're in uncharted territory for me, but it's a certainty, you're the right guy to do it. My season is not at all in high gear, though. I have my milkweed sprouting and growing rapidly, but I've only see just by chance, one Monarch flutter by (and it wasn't near my milkweed). No eggs as of yet. This is less my Monarch season, and more the season of wrapping up grades, and driving with a clothes hamper in my trunk should I see a snapping turtle (or any other turtle) trying to cross a road. I've seen 5 squished on the roads nearby, and it saddens/angers me each time. While Raising Monarchs will definitely still continue, I'm also putting together a herpetology series. Not on raising any, but just on what they are and their behaviors, and a bit on how to identify them. I'm guessing there's some overlap of those who enjoy Monarchs and those who enjoy our cold blooded friends. Doing it mostly, though, to help out my Science Olympiad team to have some videos to kick start them in the herpetology event. Okay...I'm rambling now. Hope your season goes well! A new RM vid will be out this month, though I'm not sure when exactly.

[@shradhamahajan6551]

Hey Mr.Lund with the help of your videos I raised 6 gorgeous monarch butterflies and your videos helped me in every step. Thank you so much for doing this cant wait to do this every season every year.

[@MrLundScience]

Welcome aboard! It feels great to know that these videos help out. I'm humbled each time I hear about it. Thank *you* for having the interest, and wanting to take it further.

[@jcrinc2]

I have learned so much from your videos. They are fantastic. Thank you for helping me release over 50 monarchs!

[@MrLundScience]

Thank you for having an interest in this animal, and doing what you can to actively help them out! Welcome aboard!

[@clairebrentnell8686]

I love love your series on the monarch. This is my first year to raise monarchs and yourvideos helped me so much. I live in central Ontario Canada and am worried about releasing when the weather is getting cooler as we are into Sept and most of my nectar flowers are just about gone. This video was a life saver for my beloved butterflies and my piece of mind that they will be strong enough to make their migration. Planting milkweed next spring so happy to see that video also on putting elastic bands on pods. Had 13 eggsthis year hope to find more next year. Thanks for all your video they sure helped this newby.

[@MrLundScience]

Well, thank you so much for checking them out. These vids, hopefully, give people some of the tools they need to feel confident in helping out this troubled population. Thank you so much for getting involved!

[@deanjohnson8097]

Love your energy and thank you for the useful information. I’m just trying to attract more butterflies to my garden.

[@lenorestancyk9152]

I have raised monarchs for 5 years but have always been able to release them the same day-till this year! Because of weather, we have had to keep a few in our house for 2 days. I tried your method of feeding them and it worked great! The second time we tried to feed them they actually started to put their proboscis out looking for the honey water! Waiting till later today to release the 10 we have in the house. THANKS FOR YOUR INFORMATIVE VIDEO!!!

[@ChooChooRosenbloom]

I found a super monarch on my grass September 11. She struggled to maintain balance and couldn’t fly so I brought her in. Her wings look a bit deformed and I’m feeding her this honey solution couple times a day. Thanks for all you do to help our winged buddies.

[@heikebarker7103]

So glad to have found your video. I have several monarchs in an enclosure and knew that I could not release them tomorrow because it will rain all day. You saved my day - or should I say you saved my monarchs. 🤗

[@PlatypusProdigy]

Thank you so much for this video! It’s December here in north Florida and we found a monarch chrysalis on one of my plants that I moved in to my house to protect it from the cold. It finally emerged today and I had no clue how to feed it before I release it in the morning. Thank you from me and I’m sure from the butterfly, too!

[@NP83179]

This was an amazing experience shes still hanging out in our home she seems to be getting her energy back. She been super close to me. I wish I could share my video

[@MrLundScience]

If you wish to share your video, you can always upload it to your KZbin account and provide a link to the video here in the comments. And whether you know it or not, you have a KZbin channel. You have one as soon as you make an account, which you must have done to be able to leave comments.

[@Fun.Guy.Forager]

I have been growing a ton of milk weed the last few years and plan on raising monarchs this year for the kids. I love the videos very good info. The provasic is the feeding tube a lot like a humming bird. There is the same thing people say you shouldnt feed humming birds. One because of the colored dyes but I would say more because of the choice of sugar has been processed and not found that way naturally. Not everyone can be trusted to be responsible enough to mix the ratio right. Also any ingredients not dissolved could cause harm. But the big one is not changing the liquid out with fresh stuff and never leave excessive mixtures of sugars out for more than a few weeks. Just by being contaminated or air contaminated sugar water will turn into kombucha. It will grow a scoby/mother and ferment into vinegar the longer it sits especially with more sugar it will spike a lot higher than the 5 percent acid level we buy in the store. Most natural wild flowers have antibacterial effects which monarchs are use to drinking from and is a very diluted among of sugar. It can be done it done in a responsible way. Always choose a natural unrefined sugar and use correct ratio.

[@MrLundScience]

Agreed. And really, this video was made more for just giving the Monarchs a jump start, especially at the end of the season when they have a long migration ahead of them. Not intended for being a way to keep Monarchs as pets. Good info for the hummingbird enthusiasts out there who might read it!

[@jessicapierson7286]

Thank you so much for this video. We are taking care of a monarch that has injured wings and cant fly right. This video is really helpful

[@MrLundScience]

Very pleased that this could be helpful!

[@judiththomas8285]

Thank you SO MUCH! I am a true novice with 5 chrysalides in an aquarium that will hatch in a few days. So exciting. I will be planting milkweed again next year and will help as much as I can.

[@MrLundScience]

And thank you for doing what you can to help out the population!

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

I keep reading caterpillars don't drink water. It's very dry where I live and I was misting the leaves of cuttings to increase humidity a bit. A droplet about the size of the Caterpillar's head landed in front of it. When it found the drop, it put its face in the drop and I watched the drop slowly disappear. The drop did not seem to have moved over the body due to surface tension. I will spare the rest of the details but I've now actually watched this behavior several times and there is a video "caterpillar drinking and eating leaves" which shows what I witnessed the first time. The last time, I could see the jaws moving but the drop was too big to get visibly smaller. However, due to the jaw movement and the fact that the cat left his face in the drop for several seconds, I'm pretty sure it was drinking. If nothing else, my thought was "it cant hurt since they would likely ingest very small droplets of dew in nature."

[@tylerlupercio256]

Thank you for all your videos , I’ve learned ALOTTT about how to properly care for the Monarch , you perfectly articulate your instructions and information so it’s clear and concise👌🏼 definitely grateful for you and your efforts

[@reynagarcia778]

Again, thank you for sharing your experience with us. I have fed more than 5 monarchs on winter or raining days and after that they look much better. I enjoy raising them and we try to help them

[@MrLundScience]

I'm happy to get the education out there. Getting to see how easy this can be can certainly equip us to have more options when it comes to helping them out in the right circumstances. Thank you for your concern for this animal and trying to help them out!

[@mariamolina154]

Thank you!! Wish I would have seen this before.. I just gave Gatorade to 2 monarch butterflies that were struggling with the cold front we got today!! Tomorrow morning I’ll try the honey solution and hopefully release them in a few days when it warms up again!! Greetings from TX!!

[@MrLundScience]

Good luck to them! Thank you for attempting to help them!

[@krishofer591]

Thank you so much for this! I followed your directions and she (a migrator) is feeding like a champ! The weather will not warm up in Wisconsin for several days so we will be doing this for a few days. It’s also a nice bonding session between us. ❤️

[@craftyninjacat]

Thank you so much Mr. Lund. This video was so helpful, and it worked! Thanks to some nasty storms in the area the day after she eclosed, we had to keep one of our monarchs for a little longer than we'd intended, and this video was a life saver, possibly quite literally. Plus, feeding a monarch by "hand" was truly a magical experience, and it still brings me joy everytime I think about it.

[@virginiacastellanos2720]

I just found this video.. I found a monarch with bad mangled and missing wings in my backyard yesterday evening. It is drinking up the nectar so well! Thanks for making these videos. I doubt I'll be able to patch up the wings but at least I can keep it comfortable for now.

[@quillfeather6624]

I found a monarch on my front lawn that wouldn’t fly even when its wings and legs were intact. I gave it some honey/water solution and it seems to be doing much better now!

[@MrLundScience]

Great news! Thanks for helping that one out. Meant a lot to him/her, I'm sure!

[@steliokontos3427]

I find a lot of butterflies throughout my day mostly in the morning who sometimes I think are injured or maybe it's due to the wetness in the morning that tend to just be sitting on the ground just standing there and a lot of times I find it hard to figure out what to do I try not to touch their wings because when I was little and through most of my life everybody told me that if you touch the wings it could take off the powder or whatever that helps them fly so I try not to and I'll have them crawl onto my hand and I try to put them somewhere in the sun I don't know if sometimes it's an energy thing and they need some sort of nectar or something usually when I try to make a sugar water compound they don't really go for it that's actually what had me stumble upon your video but I think this is awesome and I will most likely be subscribing and checking out more of your videos

[@barbsrose]

Hi Mr. Lund, I came across someone asking what to do with a newly enclosed Monarch this late in the season. I sent a text telling her to give it Sun for energy and locate a suitable flower if there is one available. I sent her a link to this video which is the best advice I could give. I have 2 chrysalis left. I don’t know that they will enclose because it’s been well over a week and a half. I learned about raising monarchs from an environmental science class that a student I assisted was in. The students raised their Monarchs by feeding milkweed, cleaning the enclosure, and waiting for the chrysalis to enclose. The students tagged and then released their Monarch. It was an awesome and rewarding experience. I raise monarchs in the summer here in northeast Pennsylvania. I have native milkweed growing in my yard. I collect eggs as soon as I see monarchs in the summer. Thanks for the informative video. I am going to use your honey/water method from here on.

[@pizzacatt9113]

Sadly, they are going extinct. Milkweed is the only plant the Monarch *caterpillar* will consume. Simply, no milkweed = no Monarchs. Herbicides farmers use (or even everyday people use) is one of the big reasons milkweeds are declining. Urban development is all well and good, but it is harming wildlife as well. The butterfly, on the other hand, has little time to mate and also has a little bit of trouble finding food. You can help by planting a pollinator garden! Simple native flower garden will attract beautiful butterflies to your yard and help pollinators stay healthy. It may even attract Honey Bees (which are also endangered!). This is debated, but some scientists have concluded releasing captive-raised Monarchs is bad or just harmful at this moment in time if not correctly raised. I use the term correctly loosely. It has advantages and disadvaneges.

[@leigham.8392]

Pizza Catt What kind of flowers should I plant? (Which ones are they attracted to the most?)

[@27Tigress]

They are not going extinct generally speaking but in certain parts they have declined a great amount and that is a big concern. But in south amercia for example and other areas they are still doing well. I am in Minnesota and don't see a lot anymore and trying to do my part to help change that.

[@fishby8070]

European honey bees are non- native introduced insects unless you're living in Europe. Instead of helping out the introduced invaders that we all "rely" on, we should help out native pollinators such as mason bees, hover flies, or just any other native insect in your area. There is also some studies that suggests that the honey bees might be helping the mites by spreading them to the native ecosystem. The mason bees also outcompete honey bees when it comes to pollinating apples, oranges, and many other plants.

[@derekchecketts8461]

Fishby I was reading a book from over a hundred years old talking about the decline of the honey bee made me laugh. All the problems for the bees have been the result of commercialization for pollination. The group complaining the most is the cause.

[@sennstrato7281]

+Tigress_Free2BeMe I am also from MN. Here's one of my monarch videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/boCtq4GMjbyZqbs

[@jendearing6648]

Hi! Our 1st butterflies “hatched” today and we are so excited. Your videos made it possible! This one may be the best yet as we are in Florida and are going to have storms for the next several days along with very high winds. Hoping this can hold them over until they can fly safely 💕

[@gabriellakhan1962]

I found a fallen cocoon on the ground and three days after the monarch came out deformed so I have to care for him I named him Mark and your videos help me so much keep it up

[@boostedaudios4879]

Thankyou so much sir ❤❤❤❤❤😀u proves the name that you are a human being I found a small butterfly tired and barely walk on the way to my house and i took it carefully and put it on a table and i searched for helping tired butterfly and some video showed the fluids that i canot get but ,,, honey 🍯 I have in home 😃 and i made a solution like u give and the butterfly drinked it for some time and then moved nearby now I think it's a little better on walking 🥰🥰🥰 Thankyou

[@qtjess84]

Thanks for this!! I’m in Southern California and we have loads of chrysalises within a few feet of our milkweed plant this year but one put itself in a bad spot that fell down and I brought it inside. It came out yesterday evening and I put it in my baby’s pack-n-play with something on top lol. Of course the weather today turned cloudy, cold and windy so I wanted to see if I could feed it until the weather cleared up a bit! Thanks for the video!

[@nancymcknabb5834]

Thank you.... hurricane coming and I have many soon to eclose... was worried about feeding them until weather will allow us to release! Your videos have been an essential part of helping me do this!

[@MrLundScience]

I'm glad that this could give you some options. True commitment from you if a hurricane is on its way and you're still thinking about your Monarchs. Bravo!

[@AlissaMerrill]

My daughter and I do it every year it's so fun! We talked to the caterpillar everyday! We said see you later when he went into his cacoon.

[@macy999]

Today I found a butterfly that was cold and was sitting in the grass for hours so I took him home and I make like little habitats with like dirt grass and tree branches in jars and I had a huge one so I put them in there and I'm trying to learn how to take care of him for the winter so thank you for this video!

[@mrkhiladi8924]

no doubt this video is amazing, some times we find injured monarchs here, this would really help

[@leandrabelmonte6457]

Hello, I just had my first adult that can’t fly come out. Instead of making this honey mixture can I provide her with fresh flowers daily?

[@MrLundScience]

You certainly could try a natural approach first and see if it works, and then have this as a back up. They can be finicky, though. Not always, but sometimes. I wish you luck!

[@AnitaKumari-ws1rh]

Hey, Great video. I've found a butterfly and it's scales are rubbed off. Can you please tell me if it will have any problem with flying in future?

[@MrLundScience]

Scales are mostly necessary for proper heat absorption and other forms of temperature regulation of the animal, but it's also true that they aid the wings in flight to some degree. I've seen many a butterfly in the wild, though, with some pretty beat up wings, yet still flying. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, as to whether it will be able to fly, and if so, to what degree the flight will be affected.

[@bermuda6635]

Thank goodness for your videos. Live in Florida. Thought i would give raising Monarchs a try as a hobby. Did get carried away with the number i collected . So i have two that have emerged and they are beautiful. Other google sites recommended orange slices , no particular time to set free etc. so now i made the honey solution, and will feed them as it s going to rain today. But i must have 20 more getting ready. I thankfully learned they may be to close together. In addition i used the pop up netted laundry bins which worked out great. The Monarch here are still producing eggs . It's about 70 daytime but 60 at night. I am guessing that they know best and i can release mine. Again thank you so much

[@MrLundScience]

Quite a system you've got going there. I wish you luck. As you've discovered, it can be addictive. Fair warning!

[@kenjiro2676]

I rescued a deformed butterfly in my biology class after the butterfly project. We released all the non deformed ones thankfully :). I feed my painted lady butterfly sugar water and a little bit of Snapple.

[@2degucitas]

You may already know this by now, but deformed wings can be switched out with dead butterfly wings. Cut the "bad" part off, put small amount of rubber cement on "new" wing and press into place. Only add just what is needed.

[@jodimccarthy9653]

Thank you for all of your videos!!! I have learned so much from you! You are a amazing teacher!This was my first year raising monarchs. Definitely not my last! I cannot thank you enough!!!!

[@AngelButlerOfficial]

I love this video,thank you...I have two caterpillars left and it's beginning to be harder to find food for them...Their almost to cocoon stage,but this will definitely help with their journey down south....I love Monarch butterflies actually butterflies in general...I've gotten everyone involved ,well I was gonna take some butterflies down to a nursing home and allow the elderly set them free but it's hard to tell when their going to hatch but this video of how to feed them will also help with that.

[@juliana19840]

Hi. I’m in Florida It’s October 10, 2020. And I realized it’s late season for monarchs to hatch. I have 2 that came out of the chrysalis this morning. I’m so glad I found this information.

[@sajeevimahanaga1168]

Beautiful work I love it enjoy Every moment of it I am in this hobby love it

[@karigustafson459]

I found an injured monarch outside today. So, I'm doing research on how to save it. It's very late in the season and I'm guessing with the crazy winds lately is what caused it's injuries Thanks for the information! I'll try my best to save it

[@FlowingGraceArts]

Thanks so much!!!!! Rain here all day and night! Three have emerged this morning. I expect at least 3 more later today or tomorrow. This will help.

[@MrLundScience]

Yeah, I've had three days of rain in Michigan too, so I've been feeding those that have had to do some overnighters.

[@FlowingGraceArts]

thanks again - the weather got better so released them this morning - they were glad to get out. Even a 11" x 20" x 12". aquarium gets too small when 5 of them are ready to fly.

[@MrLundScience]

Awesome to see them take flight. Great work!

[@eduardoiniestra8007]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the video. My wife and I found very useful.

[@MrLundScience]

Definitely welcome. Thanks for finding use for it.

[@Chagosaquarium]

Thank you for this! We just found an injured monarch in our driveway and after we got back home it was still there hunkering down in a flower hiding from the strong wind. We brought it inside and it drank the nectar right up! Became more active, and is hanging upside down 🤗🤗🤗 not sure what we’re doing next ha

[@MrLundScience]

Very happy to have helped! Thank you for your compassion with these guys!

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

I just captured a yellow one and intend to keep it for study learning exactly how long the lifespan will be. I study a different insect every year and may expand my knowledge to fruit flies and their reproduction

[@iamlily]

I looked after a butterfly because he was unable to fly. I fed him everyday, and I created a nice garden for him in a transparent pet box. I made sure he caught sunrays on a daily basis. He died suddenly within a few minutes, even tho he's been active before. I am sad and shocked, I don't know if that's my fault, maybe it was too hot? I've read butterflies need warm temperatures in order to survive...

[@denisef1153]

It was just his time. He couldn’t fly (other things probably going on too) and because of you he got to live a bit longer. Good job

[@aliciawarhola]

Hi! I accidentally got into breeding monarch butterflies (I got some plants which had catterpillars on them!) and everyday I'm more amazed at how incredible this animals are! Watching them go through all the stages is magical and wonderful, and your videos are being really helpful for me as I have a lot of doubts and concerns ^^' now my butterflies are about to emerge, I hope everything goes fine! Thanks a lot for your channel and keep up the good work! Best from the Canary Islands (Spain) ^_^

[@leahford2788]

My 4 year old brother captured one and we didn't know. But know it's back to flying again thank you

[@MrLundScience]

Great to hear!

[@mommymomentswithciera1376]

Thank you so much I did the butterfly stage with my home daycare we have 6

[@eugeniabutler9449]

Can the monarch butterfly I have in the mesh cage find the food on her own? Do I have to use the technique with the toothpick you show on this video? I am very unsure about doing that. Couldn't she just find the food on her own?

[@audreyp8958]

Hi Rich, I know monarchs are your specialty but I have a butterfly question I could use your help with. I rescued a black swallowtail caterpillar this summer -- mama laid an egg on a plant on the ground right in the middle of a walking path. I felt like I couldnt leave the little guy there because he inevitably would have been stepped on but didnt know what plants in the surrounding area he could eat. So I raised him at home and he went into a chrysalis. And we waited and waited and waited and it became obvious the little guy wasn't going to come out in a timely manner. So summer came and went, and just yesterday he decided to emerge! I live in Vermont, the temp today is 7° and it is clearly far too cold to release him. I have been reading that some butterflies go into a dormant state in the cold months. Do you know if there is any truth to this? I will try your method to feed him but he has been lethargic and not flying. Wondering if he is trying to go into a dormant state while safe in my home. The room we are keeping him in is a bit colder than the rest of the house but he can have the room to himself without my cat interfering. Hope to hear from you!

[@nygelburwell7533]

You Sir are awesome! Thank you for caring.

[@alliehamilton-calhoun162]

I had a black swallowtail that has been overwintering in my garage eclose. It's supposed to rain all day today and tomorrow. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@KARYNL101]

I have always heard that honey in not digestible for most creatures who feed in the wild. Are we sure its okay for them? I believe the issues with sugar water would be if it wasn’t boiled. If the sugar should crystalize when it dried, that would be harmful-but that cannot happen if its been adequately dissolved by boiling. (I use the hummingbird nectar I make, so I can save time)

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Karyn! Worthy questions, for sure. I have heard of concerns with honey solutions for fermentation or for bacterial reasons, as both could happen, but that's if the solution is stored overtime. If you have pure honey, this can stay in the cabinet for incredibly long times, and thus, is something that can be readily on hand. This is why I choose the honey/water solution. When it comes to sugar water, crystalization of excess sugar is the main concern, but even then, it would not seem to be a large one if people have diluted the sugar enough. When looking at the options for what to feed, I think that there are many, and the risks for some of them are all pretty small risks. In the end, because of honey's long shelf life, and thus, being readily available when you need to mix up some food, paired with Monarch Watch having recommended it as a worthy choice, I went with that one. Here's Monarch Watch's page that discusses feeding (in the Adult section) and where they have recommended a 20% honey/water solution, but also provide other options... www.monarchwatch.org/rear/index.htm As for whether they can or can't digest it, I've had people discuss keeping their injured, flightless Monarchs alive for a few months with honey water solutions, so I'm confident on that front that they can digest it without issue. Great questions to consider though!

[@KARYNL101]

Thanks for your prompt response. I have had some very late butterflies combined with unseasonably cold weather. Unfortunately many have been very weak and couldn’t fly. Of those, 3 were able to be fed-switched mid-way to honey from sugar-and they got stronger and flew off about 3 days later. So I would say the solution is a success, whether honey or sugar water. But I did lose about 20% of my butterflies, to failed eclosures, wing deformities, etc. which is really sad. BUT the point I wanted to make is I have been feeding 2 very strong butterflies, with deformed wings for about a week now. They are staying strong and active, and feed pretty readily. So thank you for providing some confidence in what I am doing. I had been quite concerned that I might make matters worse, feeding the butterflies “in waiting,” LOL.

[@KARYNL101]

Oh, by the way, I started by using a very thin, soft clean paint brush, which they seem to really like. It can tease out the proboscis and also hold a drop of honey water to tempt them.

[@nancywaterman5098]

I am going to grow as much Milkweed as possible.... To feed our beautiful butterflies ❤

[@TamiFowler1]

I just found a monarch with a broken antenna. Do these antennas heal? It’s broken completely in half and it’s hanging there. I feel so sorry for her.

[@Kytamna]

Hey. I found an adult Monarch by the shoreline with a whole in her wing. She can't fly and the wind was whipping her around violently so I took her home. I don't want to leave her outside, and I'm working from home mostly, so I'm going to take care of her. I've watched some of you're videos but just wanted any extra advice you could offer.Your video mentions I should feed them twice a day, is that still enough if I'm the only one providing her food? How big an enclosure should I give her? Any help you can give would be most appreciated and thank you so much for your videos!

[@c.c.126]

We have a monarch that we found on Wednesday October 24th 2018. We found it freezing on the road and did not know what to feed it. 🦋🦋. You have helped us know what to feed it. 🦋🦋🦋🐛🐛🐛🐛

[@MrLundScience]

A rescue! Awesome! Thank you for helping that one out!

[@christinemeoni275]

Thank you so much for your video series on the Monarchs! They have been so helpful my second year of raising them. Today I fed my 16th butterfly this season (first time feeding) and released it. I have 4 more that will hopefully eclose soon as it's starting to get cold here in MN. I plan on feeding them before their long journey. My question is, does the honey have to be organic? I used 100% raw unfiltered, but not organic. I have organic agave nectar in the cabinet...would this work as well?

[@MrLundScience]

For food, the term "organic" means that no artificial chemicals were used in the process, such as antibiotics on the bees. Also, that the flowers the bees were offered for food were not themselves treated with chemicals, be it fertilization or pesticides. (How they keep track of where the bees go, necessarily, I don't know.) So, for example, if someone has bee hives, but they do it in a very large controlled area with flowers they have provided, and those flowers are not chemically treated, it is "organic". However, if a neighbor is also a bee keeper, he or she may have the bees come and go freely, but he/she might not be able to officially title it "organic" without the knowledge of where the bees go and visit flowers. If they are near a local park that does spray its plants, technically, that would already be enough to not call it "organic". While the original intention for "organic" is a good one, it's also become a way to label some foods and market them to those who want only "organic" food. When it comes to honey, though, I don't know that there's a significant difference between a hobbyist who sells non-organic honey at the local farmer's market versus a large company that jumps the right hurdles to be able to call theirs "organic". I wouldn't be too concerned about the type of honey. I hope that helps!

[@thanos2459]

Thank you so much

[@MrLundScience]

You're very welcome, Thanos! Hey, if you get that gauntlet back, sure would be cool if you were to snap your fingers and restore the milkweed population numbers back to where they were in the 80's. That would be super cool of you, big guy! Best wishes from Earth! PS: Big fan!

[@pmmac2382]

Thanks so much. Have one girl that emerged today, late October 2019 in San Jose, CA. I will feed her tomorrow and send her on her was to the coast of CA for winter.

[@MrLundScience]

Very cool!

[@jaeew7612]

Thank you for your videos. I planted milkweed for the first time this year and attracted many Monarch Butterflies (yay). I found a Monarch chrysalis on my back porch attached to the bristles of a broom about a week ago. Watching your KZbin series gave me the courage to attempt to move the chrysalis inside to hatch the butterfly in a safe location. She hatched yesterday! I had a successful feeding today (your honey/water recipe) and I plan to release her tomorrow as the temps will be above 50 (Houston Texas). In this video, you said to feed a few times, how long of rest should I give her between feedings? Thank you again.

[@MrLundScience]

Excellent job, Jae! Sorry that I wasn't able to get to this earlier, so my guess is that she was already released. Still, on days where I've had to keep Monarchs over 24 hours (due to immediate, severe weather that was happening), I'd offer food twice a day - in the morning, and in the evening. This way, once weather cleared up, they were energy stocked and ready to go. While Monarchs (and other butterflies) may feed often and throughout the day, they are also not taking in large amounts of energy from just a flower here or there. Thus, they need to do it plenty, and often. But with the honey water solution, they are receiving a stock load of energy, and thus, feeding them can be something that you do only a few times a day. Great job jumping in and helping that one out!

[@kellenbrugman9712]

Agree about the blue and red dyes. Not good for butterflies or people. Your video is very helpful.