Are warm temperatures helpful re-hydrating butterflies?

[ren]

I am rehydrating a butterfly (it is in its envelope, and sandwiched between damp paper towels).

Is it helpful to keep it warm?  If so, what temp?

I have access to a incubator, and can set the temp.

Thank you all, I am very new at butterflies.

[nomihoudai]

No, it will liquify lipids that are in the body of the specimen and they are more likely to become greasy. I always use cold water and don't put them next to a heater.

[777]

Warm temperatures in a moist area is a welcoming place for bacteria and fungus, so I suggest you use cold temperatures to deter or at least slow down bacterial/fungal growth on your specimens.

[nomihoudai]

Fungi's optimal growth temperature is either room temperature or less. Most fungi are found in caves and the like. Furthermore bacteria don't decompose specimen (and a higher temperature is only optimal for the ones living within the human body). Just to clarify this. The room temperature for relaxing has only to do with preventing greasiness and with preventing condensation that could ruin specimen through direct water contact.

[ren]

Thanks!

[Adam Cotton]

Nov 29, 2018 13:44:05 GMT radusho said:

Water can not be too hot as it can condenzate on specimens.

I think you mean that water must not be too hot.

Adam.

[Deleted]

I always inject larger specimens, say aglais urticae and larger with tepid water a couple of times then leave them in the relaxer overnight, they could have been papered for decades and they are as pliable as freshly caught by the morning, more robust specimens like Ornithoptera, prepona and agrias might need a couple more injections but in the relaxer I only use tepid water as well.