We had both cold and rainy weather when the first of my many pipevine swallowtails emerged, and I waited 2 days to release some of them. Actually, when it's cloudy outside, they have no desire to leave the cage, don't flutter their wings, just hang upside down on the ceiling or side of the cage. As soon as the sun comes out, though, they'll start fluttering around.

That said, every giant swallowtail that I've ever raised has acted like they couldn't wait to leave the cage long before I thought they were ready. I had a couple that thrashed around in the cage and broke off the little spoon shaped part of their swallowtails very quickly after they'd emerged from their chrysalis. So, your giant may or may not want to leave in cloudy/rainy weather, I don't know. I've raised most of my giants in summer.

But don't worry, it won't hurt a bit to wait until day after tomorrow to release it, I'm sure of that.

Sherry

Thanks Miss Sherry....well, they were going a little nuts so I let one out. No rain just really windy. She flew up high and then the wind swept her into a tree. Guess I will hold off on the other two.

Thanks!

I'm sure she'll be okay. I've worried about most of my pipevine swallowtails, since they emerge so early, with lots of bad weather going on. But they must know where and how to hide and protect themselves, because my pipevines are now covered with PVS egg clusters!

Sherry

Keep them calm by keeping them in a dark place. A dark place at about 45 degrees would be even better.

Other choice is to feed them. Try some of the red Gatorades.

KC

Hi Shannon,

I don't mean to hijack your post, but where are you? I'm new to butterfly gardening and my family and I live in Little Elm. We got quite a bit of hail last night, and even had a minor tornado scare. With the wind and rain you menioned, I assume you are probably in our general area.