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What's this magnificent but ugly critter?

Sue & MuttonSue & Mutton Posts: 125
in Problem solving

Hi, well this is a first - it's normally vine weevil I find nibbling through my plant roots. Any idea what this is please. Not sure whether to nurture it or feed it to the pheasant. Currently very much alive - keeps lifting it's head up and looking at me.



Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think it's some sort of moth pupae ... busy transmogrifying into the adult moth.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    Agree, probably a moth pupa.  At 2 inches, could it be one in the Hawk moth family?  I think Angle Shades are a bit smaller, about an inch.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Elephant Hawk Moth pupa?  There's a photo here which looks very similar ...
    http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/british-moths/elephant-hawk-moth-and-caterpillar-deilephila-elpenor/ 
    ... and it was a good year for the caterpillars last year ... we got a lot of requests to ID them.  




    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sue & MuttonSue & Mutton Posts: 125
    Dovefromabove - I was just about to post this link - yes, that's him. He's a keeper then. Looking forward to watching him emerge. Thanks for your help :-)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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