Hi guys, I am new to the forum and was wondering what I should do with the Mourning Cloak in my shed. I noticed it a few weeks ago and assumed it had emerged from the chrysalis early and then gone back into hibernation, seeing that it has not been in my shed all winter. I put some honey water out a few days later. It has not seemed to move and I worry since I have seen other butterflies out already, including other Mourning Cloaks. Is there anything I can do for the butterfly or should I just let it be? Thanks for any help.
I would simply leave well alone Animallover. It may just be late in emerging from hibernation. Not all butterflies and moths of the same species wake up at the same time as it depends on the temperature of where they've chosen to overwinter. Welcome to our forums by the way and I hope you'll stay with us and become part of our worldwide community. :-D
Welcome to the Stew! It speaks well for you that you are worried about the Mourning Cloak, but I've found (from sorry experience) it is best to leave well enough alone. Most critters have been around longer than we have, and have built-in survival systems that serve them well.
Welcome to GardenStew. Mourning Cloaks hibernate during the winter as adults not in the chrysalis, so the one you have has just not warmed up enough to go outside yet. It was probably in there all winter but hiding in a crevice or under something and recently came out of hiding. It will be fine on it's own. If it is sickly or injured it may die there but there is nothing you should do about it or for it.
Thanks, that is very helpful and I will just hope for the best. Thanks for the welcomes I hope I stick around.
Animallover welcome you to the Stew from a Stewbie in Wis. I know it's hard to just sit back and watch. I also would probably have been wondering the same thing as you. Can I help that butterfly in anyway? It is hard to just sit back and watch.
Yeah, it is definitely hard to sit back. I will check on it every once in a while and make sure it is not stuck in my shed. I hope it survives and thanks again.
