Butterfly in November?

[Verasnewhome]

I was rearranging furniture in my daughter's room yesterday, and moving an old armchair out. When I lifted the cushion a painted lady butterfly flew out. I was pretty surprised to find a live butterfly tucked up behind a cushion in November. Anyone know if this is normal? Might it have been hibernating? And what should I do with it now? It's currently flying around upstairs with sugared water and bits of fruit - surely it would just die if I let it out?

I have one, saw it yesterday for the 1st time, like you I don't know what to do.
Don't want to put it outside.

How strange! I have one in my house too. Also not sure what to do

I have soaked some kitchen paper in a little sugar water, it went to it and had a drink.

Yes and bees too. Very odd for this time of year surely?

Painted Lady is not known to overwinter in the UK (it's a migratory visitor) but some others (Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Brimstone) do hibernate. They are best off carefully moved outside (once settled) to an open outbuilding/clump of ivy/anywhere sheltered and safe where they will be able to leave easily in the spring. They need to be cold to survive hibernation - too warm and they may dehydrate, or become active and burn off their energy stores too soon.

Queen bumblebees hibernate too.

I have put it in a cardboard box in our cold utility room. Plan to put it into the shed tomorrow where it will be cool and dry