Not sure where to post, as it’s hard finding others who keep injured butterflies, but i’m feeling really worried about Lila.
She is a 5 week old cethosia penthesilea (orange lacewing butterfly. Their typical average lifespan in the wild is 7-10 days and she has gone way past that. She emerged with a crumpled wing so i took her in to care for her. On the exact same day my mother found an injured Common crow butterfly at work, and brought her home to me. So Lila got a friend. They would always roost together, find spots to sleep, explore the enclosure, climb and come down to feed. Common Crows typically live a lot longer than Orange Lacewings (11-13 weeks), and lately i’ve seen the effects of old age hitting Lila. Her friend Queenie can still climb, but Lila’s tarsi must be worn down or maybe she’s too weak and she just can’t climb anymore. She needs help with everything now and just sits there sadly. I’m happy taking care of her, but if she can’t even climb and explore, what kind of life is that anymore? I’m even more sad, as i brought them a new buddy named Omelette who’s wings are worse than Lila’s but she’s up roosting with Queenie like Lila used to. And Lila is simply too weak to get up there.
She doesn’t seem to be suffering, but i know she’s on her last few days. Should i let her pass naturally in her enclosure or just euthanise her now?
I can't really give advice on the topic but I just wanted to say thank you for what you do, you've truely helped these butterflies still live a happy life despite wing defects
Yeah, i think I’m just gonna let her pass away naturally. I was worried she was suffering, but i think she’s just slowly shutting down now and doesn’t seem to be in distress.
I kept a mourning cloak in a similar situation, she lived for over 100 days but eventually she started rejecting food and would no longer climb and explore her enclosure. After well over a week without eating and seeing her struggle to readjust herself when perching I put her down. I wanted her to go peacefully on her own time but she had no quality of life and it was kinder to release her from that state than continue letting her decline. If I was in your place I would put her down.
The kindest way is to stomp them, which is really difficult when you’ve named them and gotten attached to them. But if you decide to euthanize by freezing, pit an envelope or container in the fridge until it’s cold, then put her in it and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes first so she falls asleep quickly and doesn’t risk feeling ice crystals form in her body. Then put her in the freezer for AT LEAST 24 hours.
Wow 100 days is really impressive. She is at the stage where she’s not really able to climb, she can feed and is still accepting food, though needs help getting to the food. I don’t mind helping her, but yeah, there’s no quality of life if she can’t go anywhere and can’t explore or perch. She’s getting super weak. She’s got her own little spot in there so if she passes naturally she will be warm and safe, but i think if another few days passes and she’s still going I’ll put her down.
Freezing has actually been debated recently for if its a humane method. I'd stick to hard weight instead just to be safe even if it feels more difficult
5 weeks is an amazing run for her species. you've given lila a good life she wouldn't have in the wild.
not a professional or entomologist, but i would personally let her pass naturally -- so long as she isn't showing any signs of distress like struggling/flapping her wings. she isn't eating any more and losing grip because she's entering senescence, a natural part of her life cycle; her body is slowing down, losing grip strength, & no longer is demanding energy to keep things up and running. in the wild this would leave her vulnerable to predation, but in captivity she can just peacefully slow down. i think it's okay for her to seem more inactive/lack an appetite and wouldn't interpret it as her being sad -- likely she is just tired, resting, and slowing down.
if she shows any sign of distress or you find it hard to watch over the next few days, you could do euthanasia via the fridge to freezer method. it is similar to just falling asleep for her. don't beat yourself up either way, neither route will feel easy or happy. it's always hard to say bye to any animal after caring for them & learning their little habits and personalities.
in any case, lila is a beautiful old lady & it's amazing how much you've cared for her.
She’s mostly just getting weaker. She can still walk but it’s really slow little old lady steps. Doesn’t seem distressed, she’s just weak but is still feeding. She can’t manage to climb the walls anymore to join her friends, but she’s got her own little spot at the bottom with food. I think i’ve decided if she’s still going in a few days, i’ll put her down as there’s not much quality of life. I’m hoping she passes peacefully soon so i don’t have to. And thank you for the comment :)
Thank you :) She’s actually still going, i went out to collect her before the ants got to her and she’s still alive. Not very well, but she’s still going :)
I would keep her until she passed. I was in a similar situation a couple weeks ago. My husband found an eastern tiger swallowtail with a significant part of one of her wings missing so she couldn’t fly.
I kept her fed and comfortable. I bought a bigger habitat so she could rest, and took her out into our sunroom so she could walk around and hang with me as I worked. She passed peacefully one night. I was there with her. She laid 2 eggs, but they were not viable. I pinned her.
aww that sounds beautiful :) Its so sad when they can’t fly, but it was so nice of you to give her a comfortable little life and keep her safe. Honestly the sun room idea is so cute. I bet she loved that. I was gonna take Lila and her friend outside on their birthday (5 week birthday) but rain ruined it :( I used to have another injured butterfly of the same species that used to love going outside and would even tell me what flowers he wanted to go to by batting his legs in the direction of one lol.
If it was me, I would just keep her until she passes naturally. I’ve kept a few in this same state and I would house them in a separate tent and hand feed with an eyedropper. I would even take them out of the enclosure and place outside to enjoy the sunshine and flowers for a bit before returning to the “special care” tent. I know this option doesn’t have the majority vote but she worked so hard to become a butterfly - I would keep doing what you’re doing until she decides. Best wishes to you and Lila. ❤️🦋❤️
Awh thank you for the comment :) She’s still going currently but i can tell she’s getting weaker. I’m gonna take her outside for a bit and let her enjoy herself out there :)
She’s shutting down now, i have a large outdoor enclosure for healthy butterflies to get their strength up before release so i put her on there on a flower to pass away peacefully
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u/OhLookSatan 16d ago
I can't really give advice on the topic but I just wanted to say thank you for what you do, you've truely helped these butterflies still live a happy life despite wing defects