Woolly bears "feed on almost any type of foliage, but only for a brief time before spinning a cocoon and emerging a few weeks later as a mature moth." I've found a few woolly bears over the years but only spotted the moth once. I'd let the woolly bear go.

Thanks Kate and Gary. I've seen some up north & the thing I saw didn't look like some of the more common sphinx moths. However, I had no idea that there were so many species of sphinx moth. I and been looking at pictures of them until my eyes are crossing. Since there are so many of them, it's quite possible that I saw a sphinx moth. However, this flying thing was such a brilliant color, that I'm still hoping/thinking that it may have been a red-throated hummingbird with mixed up days & nights. Whatever I saw wasn't feeding, just flying in a somewhat confused manner. From my googling, the ruby-throated feeds in Florida will feed on 4 o'clocks. This flyer was very close to my many 4 o'clocks. The dogs were running around barking. Whatever it was, it seemed that they startled it. We have very bright lights in our little backyard, so I'm very sure that "my" flyer had iredescent blue/green on it. It's more fun to think that I spotted a confused hummingbird. I'll let you know if I see another.

Best to have left it outside. These moths will come out of hibernation for a quick snack (or whatever) if temperatures dictate, but should retreat back into shelter when it gets cold. If you haven't had it inside for too long, I'd return it and let nature take its course.

Try 'googling' Xylocopa violacea. I bet thats what you have, they frequent my jasmine and passion flowers.