Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: help..I have babies..., 1 by AnnieJo

AnnieJo wrote:
I went out to the milkweed today and found these little guys on them. We are going to have bad storms and drop into the low 40s from the 80s. I thought that I would "help" these guys and bring them inside. I cut a branch of the milkweed (small, maybe 4-5" because my plants are just leafing out) and placed it in a small critter keeper with the base of the milkweed in a damp paper towel. The caterpillars are not staying on the milkweed and are going to the top of the container instead. I don't think they are big enough to start pupating (correct terminology?). Am I helping or hurting these guys? Thanks,
Annie