{"id":11338,"date":"2022-06-08T15:16:09","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T20:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11338"},"modified":"2022-06-11T17:20:47","modified_gmt":"2022-06-11T22:20:47","slug":"how-to-hold-a-monarch-butterfly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-to-hold-a-monarch-butterfly\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Hold A Monarch Butterfly?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever wanted to pick up a butterfly? Maybe you\u2019d like to, but you\u2019re afraid of hurting it. The good news is, there are ways of handling butterflies and caterpillars without causing damage to the fragile insects. In this article, we\u2019ll talk about how to hold a monarch butterfly, as well as a few related topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Hold a Monarch Butterfly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Monarch butterflies<\/a> are beautiful, majestic insects. Holding and picking up a monarch will not hurt it as long as you do it properly and carefully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two good ways to handle a monarch butterfly. Let\u2019s take a look at each method in turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Let the butterfly land or crawl onto your hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the best way to hold a monarch, as it is least likely to result in the butterfly being injured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you see a monarch nectaring on a flower or resting on a cool day, place your finger in front of the butterfly, gently touching its front legs. Allow it to crawl onto your finger on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using this method, you can avoid touching the monarch\u2019s wings altogether, and the butterfly won\u2019t feel any stress because it won\u2019t see you as a threat. It will either fly away on its own<\/a> or will crawl onto your hand willingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the butterfly is on your hand, allow it to sit or move around freely. Be careful to hold your hand steady so the butterfly doesn\u2019t spook or get injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pick it up by the wings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This method of holding a butterfly takes a little more skill and caution. It is possible to damage the butterfly\u2019s wings, but if you are careful and do it right, you shouldn\u2019t have to worry about hurting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approach the monarch smoothly and quietly. If its wings are closed because it is resting, gently take the butterfly between your thumb and forefinger, holding its wings lightly together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the butterfly\u2019s wings are open as you approach, gently close them before taking hold of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When holding a butterfly by the wings, you want to hold onto the upper wings near the body. This is where the wings are strongest and least likely to be damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The butterfly will probably be flailing its legs, looking for something to hold onto. Place it on your hand or a flower, letting go of the wings as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important you don\u2019t hold a monarch this way for very long. The longer you hold onto a butterfly\u2019s wings, the greater your chance of damaging it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video for a great demonstration of how to handle a butterfly without hurting it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sRc3EF7saZ8<\/a>