Question
I KEPT FOUR OF THE BLACK AND RED CATERPILLARS IN AN AQUARIUM SINCE OCTOBER. THEY WENT INTO A COCOON AND NOW ONE HAS EMERGED AS AN ISABELLA TIGER MOTH.  I LIVE IN IL. SO IT IS COLD OUT. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE MOTHS. I HAVE KIDS SO KILLING THE MOTHS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. PLUS I AM AN ANIMAL LOVER.

Answer
Tim,

You can try providing them with sugar water on a cotton ball. Tell the kids that adult butterflies generally don't live very long. Their main purpose is to lay eggs for the next generation. The butterflies may only live a few days or weeks. Good luck.

Jack DeAngelis