Butterflies don't live long sadly, usually a few weeks (except Zebra longwings which eat pollen for protein so they can live up to a few months) so it will probably not make it to spring :c

In my experience it takes them a while before they eat, especially if they're not flying around much.

http://texasbutterflyranch.com/2013/12/03/baby-its-cold-outside-what-to-do-with-late-season-butterflies/

A lot of people use sponges soaked in sugar water to feed them. Some also try overipe fruit (mango peels and the like) but I'm not sure if Black swallowtails will feed on fruit...

Thanks! Yeah its been hanging out in the same spot for a while now, hasn't flown once i know of. I've got some sugar water in a little dish with rocks. I feel so bad it won't make it to spring and be able to mate and find flowers will try fruit too. Any fruit? Would ripe bananas work?

I've seen people feed butterflies mango, banana, and even apple peels. They just need to be a little overripe. I think with peels you should wash them off just in case they had pesticides sprayed on. Mushy bits of the banana squished up can work too. Good luck and sometimes these things just happen, even in nature early emergence occurs. At least you're trying to do the responsible thing

Thanks jay! I actually emailed the Detroit zoo because they have an all year butterfly house and were taking him there tomorrow, so even if it only has a week or two at least it'll have a warm place with lots of flowrrs! :)

> Posted by Jay/Uax /FL
> In my experience it takes them a while before they eat

I had read that adult butterflies are not interested in food on their first day.
Nonetheless, I place new Monarchs onto milkweed flowers, and watch
to see whether they eat. On four occasions yes, including one yesterday
and one today.

Jay, you're right, they actually said it went against all their rules! Plus they had no other swallowtail it was only non native butterflies there so it will not be able to reproduce :( but it will have a warm home with LOT of flowers to live out its days at least. Apparently I caught the director in a very good mood and he wanted to help!:) it was a first for them and all the employees they've never had anyone bring in a butterfly (or anything for that matter lol)