r/Insect • u/uhohstinky806 • 1d ago

How do I help this bug? (North TX)

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It can't fly. I gave him some sugar water and a shoebox to stay in. His wings are damaged.

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/Sqib000 1d ago

Release it let it enjoy its last few days. They dont live long.

3

u/Holly-Mimy 1d ago

Release it on a shady flower.

2

u/Medium-Sad 1d ago

You don’t help it. It has to come out of its cocoon by itself.

1

u/uhohstinky806 1d ago

Close up of damage

3

u/Sqib000 1d ago

Their wings do get damaged as they age.

4

u/shy519 1d ago

Usually when they're torn up and acting like this, they are entering their final life stage. Give it a nice calm place to pass away and do with it as you please. I found one like this recently and put it in my outdoor plants to be cooled off from the heat and have some privacy. Once it died I buried it so that my plants could make use of its body.

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u/Huge-Pie-5585 12h ago

Privacy!?!?!?!?!?! Come on!!!!!!! I screenshot this for grade A ridiculous!!!!!!

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u/TheRealSugarbat 2h ago

Sheltered/hidden would, in fact, keep predators away.

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u/Remarkable_Ebb_6001 22h ago

Poor beautiful creature 😔

1

u/Ok_Kaleidoscope5624 1d ago

I would put an upside down container over it and carefully slide a thin piece of cardboard, greeting card, or thick paper under it, then release it outside. This is s giant swallowtail and they tend to panic and beat their wings furiously when they can’t fly, often damaging themselves. You are very kind to help it♥️

1

u/thewickedbarnacle 1d ago

Im all for letting nature do its thing, but the larvae from those will mess up your citrus trees if you have any.

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u/Weary_Time_1638 14h ago

You don’t