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Anorak News | Master embroiderer performs wing transplant on Monarch butterfly

Master embroiderer performs wing transplant on Monarch butterfly

by | 11th, January 2018

Romy McCloskey used not little skill to transplant a new wing onto a Monarch butterfly. “I am a professional costume designer and master hand embroiderer,” says Romy. “This was right up my alley.”

Equipped with a coathanger (wire), a towel, a wire hanger,  a toothpick, cotton swabs, scissors, tweezers, quick-drying cement, talcum powder, Romy set about using a dead butterfly’s wing to give flight to a newborn.

No anaethetics were used. Apparently, Monarch butterflies do not feel pain in their wings.

 

monarch-butterfly-new wing

“The patient: this 3-day-old little boy was born with torn upper and lower wings. Let’s see how we can help!”

 

 

“The operating room and supplies: towel, wire hanger, contact cement, toothpick, cotton swab, scissors, tweezers, talc powder, extra butterfly wing”

“The operating room and supplies: towel, wire hanger, contact cement, toothpick, cotton swab, scissors, tweezers, talc powder, extra butterfly wing”

 

“Securing the butterfly and cutting the damaged parts away. Don’t worry it doesn’t hurt them. It’s like cutting hair or trimming fingernails”

“Securing the butterfly and cutting the damaged parts away. Don’t worry it doesn’t hurt them. It’s like cutting hair or trimming fingernails”

 

“Ta-da! With a little patience and a steady hand, I fit the new wings to my little guy”

“Ta-da! With a little patience and a steady hand, I fit the new wings to my little guy”

 

“The black lines do not match completely and it is missing the black dot (male marking) on the lower right wing, but with luck, he will fly”

“The black lines do not match completely and it is missing the black dot (male marking) on the lower right wing, but with luck, he will fly”

“FLIGHT DAY! After a day of rest and filling his belly with homemade nectar, it is time to see if he will fly”

monarch-butterfly-new wing

“With a quick lap around the yard and a little rest on a bush, he was off! A successful surgery and outcome! Bye, little buddy! Good luck”

Via Romy McCloskey on Facebook; Bored Panda



Posted: 11th, January 2018 | In: News, Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink