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Moth Pupa

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40.8733, -75.5975

Field Notes

Description:

Unknown casing? Unknown moth? Unknown butterfly? It was only 1/4 - 1/2 inch at the very biggest. This was the best I could do. Very unusual.

Habitat:

Meadow in the Poconos

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
Carol Snow Milne
Thanks Latimeria! I just saw your message. So sorry! I will continue the search with your help.
Latimeria
I think Karen's on the right track. Moths in the Sphingidae family have pupae like this, and they do usually pupate underground, but the main requirement is simply being covered with something. I'm not sure if any other moth families have pupae like this (I know the Saturniids sort of do, but it's inside of a cocoon), but I'm pretty sure this one isn't a hickory tussock moth. Here's a picture of that species' cocoon: http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/inverts/bugpests.html.
Carol Snow Milne
It could be Hickory Tussock. The meadow had at least 4 or 5 caterpillars that I spotted and killed 3 out of the 5 because they are ruining PA trees.
Carol Snow Milne
They say the hornworm pupa is large 45-60 mm; up to well over 2 inches. This was only 1/2 inch, very small, but it does look like it.
auntnance123
I believe hornworms pupate undergroud. This could be a tussock moth pupa or something very similar.
KarenL
Tomato hornworm pupa?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Photographed
PublishedNovember 20, 2011

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