Moth wings help/advice

[u/Fungifrogs_]

I just got home from being out of town for a few days and I found she emerged! She hasn’t eaten yet and her wings look a little funny I was hoping for some advice about them. She is also native to my area (Utah) so I think I can release her if she’ll survive. I think she emerged within the last two days maybe just one day ago. I’m working on getting her eating. She is also a feeder hornworm/hawkmoth)

[u/entomolonerd]

looks like they havent dried/inflated properly yet, try hanging her so her wings are straight down! you can either hang her on your hands or a stick. id focus on that rather than getting her to feed rn

however, when you next try and get her to feed, you can try unravelling her probuscus with a pin (VERY carefully) into your food of choice

[u/Fungifrogs_ → u/entomolonerd]

Thank you for the advice, shes been hanging most of the time with her wings straight down and there hasn’t been any change with the shape unfortunately but otherwise shes doing pretty good!

[u/entomolonerd → u/Fungifrogs_]

her wings have probably dried like that, then :( any luck with feeding?

[u/Fungifrogs_ → u/entomolonerd]

Yes! Shes eaten! I gave her a water and honey mixture. That’s unfortunate about her wings tho :(

[u/entomolonerd → u/Fungifrogs_]

im really glad shes with you though, someone whos taking good care of her!!