Contrary to popular belief, you won’t harm the butterfly simply by touching it. A butterfly can lose some scales and still fly just fine. The real hazard comes from the fact that the wings are very thin and delicate. Holding it upside down can calm it down.
Stick it in a smooth container. A glass works well for this step. You may need to partially cover it if the butterfly is still able to flutter. However, make sure to leave room for air flow. Don’t leave the butterfly in the refrigerator for longer than 10 minutes, as it could eventually kill the butterfly.
The contact adhesive is the type that you paint on both surfaces. You then give it a chance to dry before pushing it together. Bend the hook on the wire clothing hanger. It should form a loop that will just fit over the butterfly’s main body (not the wings). [4] X Research source
The butterfly is not hurt when you cut the wing. It’s like getting a haircut. This option is also a good one if you’re not willing to repair the wing with glue or splints. In other words, taking off damaged wings, even both of them, can help the butterfly more than just leaving it with damaged wings. It may not be able to fly, but it may still be able to lay eggs.
Keep the lighting dim, as that can help calm the butterfly. You can also use tweezers to press down around the butterfly’s body, holding it down. However, that only gives you one hand to work with. [8] X Research source Extend the wings by grasping one edge and pulling out gently.
Use a toothpick to add glue to one side of the card stock. Also, paint a small line of contact adhesive across the bend in the wing. Take off any extra adhesive. Let both sets of glue dry. Note that contact adhesive is not just regular glue. It is a special type of adhesive that sticks to itself when dry. Line up the wing perfectly. Press the card stock, glue-side down, across the crack. It’s easiest to use tweezers for this step. After a moment, release the butterfly. Gently lift the butterfly’s wing from the towel if the glue stuck it down. Also, sprinkle a light dusting of baby powder over the glued area so it doesn’t stick to the other wing as the final step of this repair. You can use a cotton swab to help spread the powder out. Another option for a torn wing is simply a piece of scotch or duct tape. Once you immobilize the butterfly, use a small piece of tape across the bend or tear. However, this method won’t provide as much structure as the small splint. [10] X Research source
Line up the wing. Whether you are adding a new wing or using a part of the wing that has fallen off, it’s important to line it up as close as you can to the old veins. If you are adding a new wing, try to pick one as close in size to the other wing as possible. Trim it so only a small bit overlaps. Add glue. Use a toothpick to apply contact adhesive to both edges off the wing, the parts that will slightly overlap and stick together. Take off any extra adhesive, and let it dry. While it dries, make sure to keep the butterfly immobilized, as you don’t want it to glue its wings together. Once the glue dries, press the two edges of the wing together. You can add a small strip of card stock with the same gluing technique to help bridge the gap. Once you’ve glued everything in place, sprinkle baby powder over the glued area to keep it from sticking to the other wing. Check for any mistakes before releasing the butterfly. For instance, make sure the other wing doesn’t stick to the glue. Also, make sure all parts are moving.
Try using a butterfly book or an online database of butterflies to find your butterfly, which will have more information about what the butterfly eats. In addition, if you find the specific butterfly you have in captivity, you can learn what kind of flowers they usually visit. That way, you can provide them with those flowers instead of a sugar solution. Monarchs, for instance, often visit milkweed flowers, among others.
One solution is to find flowers that your butterfly normally eats. Use your research to find wildflowers in your area for your butterfly. Set them near your butterfly, then set the butterfly on the flower so it can drink the nectar.
In a small cup, add about half a cup of room temperature water. Add a tablespoon of sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. If it doesn’t dissolve, you can heat up the water to help it dissolve. Just make sure it cools before you give it to your butterfly. [14] X Research source Don’t add any coloring to the mixture. Add paper towel wicks. Roll up a 5-inch-by-7-inch piece of paper towel. Put one end in the water, and drape the other end over the edge of a the cup. This wick will bring the solution up to the edge of the cup, making it easier for your butter fly to drink. Set your butterfly on the edge of the cup at the wick so it can drink. Some butterflies, especially male butterflies, can eat fresh fruit such as peaches, plums, cherries, or oranges. Break the fruit open so that the butterfly can get to the flesh.
Let the butterfly sit on your finger for a minute. Take it outside. Let it sit on your finger until it is ready to fly away. The butterfly will gather warmth from your body before moving on, which is important if you chilled it. It needs to be at least 55 °F (13 °C) outside for the butterfly to survive.
