by Matt
(PA)
I have two Swallowtail butterflies that hatched in my greenhouse this spring. What is the lowest outside temperature that I can release the butterflies in?
Karen says:
I would wait until the daytime temperature is 60 degrees F. or higher and not freezing at night.
It is interesting to note that butterfly survival and mortality are affected not specifically by low temperature or precipitation, but on the interaction of the two. Wet butterflies have a much greater chance of dying when the temperature falls below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.