URGENT! Help rearing moth caterpillars!

[DR. JAMES ADAMS]

Dear Shulamis, 

You wrote:
> I REALLY want to keep these alive, watch them
> grow, and go through metamorphosis, but I don't
> know what kind of environment/food they need. The
> caterpillars are each about 1/8" long, hairline
> skinny, and brown.
> The adult female had about a 2" wingspan, skinny
> body, and white/light green wings. Found in
> Northern NJ, by the way.

>From the description of the caterpillars and the moth, you are 
undoubtedly talking about some geometrid (inchworm) moth, probably 
the Showy Emerald (Dichorda iridaria), which is basically green with 
relatively broad white (pinkish) stripes through the wings.  The 
caterpillars typically feed on sumac, so go find some quickly!!

                James

Dr. James K. Adams
Dept. of Natural Science and Math
Dalton State College
213 N. College Drive
Dalton, GA  30720
Phone: (706)272-4427; fax: (706)272-2533
U of Michigan's President James Angell's 
  Secret of Success: "Grow antennae, not horns"