Hi There,

I ordered 3 luna moth cocoons online about 2 weeks ago.2 moths have emerged since Sunday. I believe both are male.

I do have experience handling butterflies so I know how to gently pick up the moths. I like to look at them up close. Their faces are adorable. I keep them in a 24 inch netted enclosure so it is hard to see their faces through the netting. And I love having them climb onto my fingers.

My dilemma is that I wonder if I am being cruel by picking them up. I know that they rest during the day (and to conserve energy) and I sometimes "interact" with them during the day or at 6 or 7 PM. At some point they take off and fly around in the enclosure. One escaped yesterday and began flying around my apartment and against towards a light. I was able to catch it and put it back in the enclosure.

This evening I noticed one has little rips at the edges of its wings and I wonder if I was the cause of that. I know they can still fly with small rips but I still wonder if interacting with them is cruel.

If anyone can give me feedback that would be great! Do you suggest I just let them be? Or can I interact with them for a just a few minutes each day?