The night of the sweet potato fries (and also S's birthday) we arrived home to see that one of the butterflies had emerged. I thought L would be overjoyed. Instead she was freaked out. She went into pre panic mode - that state where she has not quite lost it but is very very close.
I tried to distract her enough so that I could get dinner finished. The butterfly was in no state to fly on it's own. It was also raining - not the ideal night for releasing butterflies. I also did not want it to starve - and I had no idea how soon it would need food. So after a quick google search I made some honey water in a small container, put a paper towel over it, and left the butterfly to do her thing.
The butterfly seemed to gain strength from the food. I think something may have been wrong with it's wing. I do know the cocoon fell from the top of the cage a few days after it was created. I was a bit concerned. However, everything looked good and I was confident that it just needed time to stretch her wings. Unfortunately L refused to give her that time. She had her hands all over the butterfly like it was a caterpillar. At the same time she was completely not in control of herself.
The butterfly had to go. I feel bad. I hope that the butterfly was able to fly and survive. We did the best we could. We walked it to the park and found a relatively dry spot under a tree. J even left the honey water for her. Then we went home and L was in control again.
A few days later the second butterfly emerged. Thankfully, L was in much better control. She left it in her cage and did not start getting antsy until the butterfly started stretching her wings to fly. J then let the butterfly outside. A much better ending. My hope is that we are at an end of the caterpillars - alive or dead.
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