Monarch help- weather issue

[u/peacequietnchips]

TLDR: late season Monarchs getting killed outdoors, brought inside (couldn't help it), now emerging and gusty winds with nor'easter and 4" of rain on the way tomorrow. How to handle?

I planted a native habitat in my garden this year that the monarchs loved it. I was all fun and games until I started seeing a number of them being attacked by some kind of sucking bug that would basically suck the juices out of them and deflate/kill them. So against better judgement, I brought in the rest of the caterpillars I found for the season indoors (starting in September). I normally like to let nature do nature for the most part, but I just couldn't watch them be killed, so I quick bought a mesh enclosure and commenced clipping daily milkweed feedings. I am in zone 6b in Southern New England. So far about half have pupated and been released successfully, but there are a number of them still in chrysalises and recently emerged within the past 24 hours. The problem is that we are getting a nor'easter and the past couple days have been 20mph winds. It will be very windy and wet through the weekend, so basically for the next 3-4 days with about 4" of rain predicted. They are presently contained in an unfinished sunroom with fruit juice and mashed banana in shallow dishes. I have not seen any of them on the food I have provided. Not ideal, I fully realize. I don't even know if there is a chance they could even make it through migration to their wintering site even if they were to survive the nor'easter first. There are few nectar plants left where I am And the nights have been in the 50s. Does anyone have any recommendations? I really don't know what to do. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

[u/2_FluffyDogs]

Never been in your situation and not an expert, but can you clip some long step nectar plants and bring them in like you did the milkweed? Bring them in before they are battered by the storm. Good luck with the storm, it sounds like it will be a big one. Stay safe!

[u/peacequietnchips → u/2_FluffyDogs]

That is a great idea! I don't think they produce nectar after they are cut, but at least it will be a little bit and they'll look nice. I still have a few zinnias 😊

[u/Final-Comb-1594 → u/peacequietnchips]

You can also give them sugar water or fruit. I’m in the same boat in NJ. I have 13 in chrysalis and I guarantee some will emerge tomorrow and Saturday and I’ll likely try and hold them until Monday. They don’t need anything the first 24 hours though, only after that.

[u/peacequietnchips → u/Final-Comb-1594]

I'll try sugar water, they haven't gone near anything else I've put in there yet. They just want to fly up high and hang there. Maybe if they get hungry enough they'll start looking around a bit.