Hi A few weeks ago I got up to find a beautiful oak eggar moth on my window sill. She had obviously flown in the night before and couldn't get out. She had laid lots of teeny eggs. I put them in a container and kept the safely in our shed. Three and a half weeks later they hatched. I'm now feeding them on hazel, bramble and hawthorn leaves. I'm just thinking should I release them or keep feeding them and get them Ready for over wintering. I haven't a clue about raising catapillars. They are eating well and pooping lots. I clean them out and supply new food daily. Any advice would be great. Thank you in advance
According to this website.... http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/6342/oak-eggar-moths/ it sounds like you need to release them so they can successfully overwinter. There apparently two types, northern and southern and each one has a different life cycle.