carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2644
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: An Extra large Pupae |
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Can anyone identify this thing I found while working in the garden this afternoon? It is huge, 5.5cm or 2.25in long,1.5cm or 1/2in wide. Keep or destroy? I assume this is a moth of some kind. does anyone have any ideas?
( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
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Jerry Sullivan
 Regular Plants Contributor
Chelmsford MA
Posts: 3061
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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Goodness is that thing big! It looks to be Mothra, the one that fought Godzilla. 
Jerry
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carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2644
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Jerry, but I haven't seen Godzilla around here. So I'm thinking maybe not.
By the way Everyone, sorry about the stained/dirty fingers, but I was working out in the dirt, unlike any of the many previous days and months.
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Philip Nulty
The Midlands,Ireland
Posts: 2447
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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That's a huge one,..looks like the Elephant Hawk Moth Pupae.
The Moth.
The Pupae.
Though the colour is not the same.
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toni
Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11711
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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I believe that most moth caterpillars will pupate underground so I would put it back in the ground and let nature take it's course.
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To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
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carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2644
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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It looks similar, but I can't see if there is a big proboscus on the hawk moth pupae. This was down in the ground, not on a tree or shrub. I couldn't find anything in my insect book that had a description that fit this pupae other than a general comment about SOME moths pupate in the ground. It is cool though.
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carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2644
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Toni, your comment came up after I clicked on my submit button, but that is my plan. I put it in a jar with some of the dirt from the same spot for today. 
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Sjoerd
West - Friesland
Posts: 7024
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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I believe that that pupae is of the Manduca quinquemaculata, or Tomato Horn Worm....some call it the "Five Spotted Hawk Moth"...it can fly like a hummingbird.
I can't comment on keeping it or destroying it--that is your personal decision. If you have kids, they might enjoy seeing it emerge though.
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Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
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carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2644
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Sjoerd, We have plenty of tomato horn worms here, so I can believe that is what it is, but I'll put it back out and let nature take its course.
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