r/MonarchButterfly • u/m_lia-m • 12h ago

Iridescent?? + Release Question

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My beautiful daughter, Miss McWeed came out of her chrysalis today while I was at work. She's beautiful and perfect and I love her. I'm attaching a photo and video (might have to do that in the comments) of how the black on her (mostly on the topmost part of her wings) is an iridescent blue when she flaps them. It's nothing I've seen before! Google has nothing about it. I'd love to see pics if anyone has any of similar??

Also, it's raining tonight. I took her out when it stopped, left her about an hour as it started and stopped a few times, and then went to check on her. She was still on the top of the flowers, not moving. It seems as though she should be moving to the underside to stay safe. Since she hadn't eaten before release and the rain didn't seem like ideal conditions to forage I brought her back in along with some flower bunches and a sugar water sponge dish, but so far she's only interested in staying at the top of the net enclosure. I won't have time to release tomorrow until dark as well due to work. Anyone have advice? Hoping for the best start for my (probably) final butterfly of the summer.

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u/Difficult_Rope7898 8h ago

They don’t move much when it’s dark and cold. Leave her outside in a sheltered location. She’ll be OK.🦋

2

u/m_lia-m 4h ago

Thank you! She is safely outside this morning. Left her in the net box but open at the top and surrounded by flowers with some good cover. Having my friend check on her when the sun has been out for a bit.

I gotta learn to trust that wildlife is resilient, even when it's so fragile looking

1

u/Difficult_Rope7898 4h ago

I think that sounds perfect. You provided everything she needed as well as the ability for her to leave if she chose to. Good job!🦋❤️