My crazy Eyed Hawk Moth!!!

JackBD95 · #1 (**permalink**) 21-08-2010, 03:00 PM

when i clean out my caterpillars i generally pick up the caterpillars i have, which generally curl up or thrash a bit but no more.......my eyed hawk moth actually tries to bite me and seeing as his jaws are enormous i have to pick up his twig he is on instead!
is this normal
....very scary!!!!!

k4t3 · #2 (**permalink**) 21-08-2010, 04:09 PM

EHM cats are all mouth n no trousers! All the display is for show, they can't actually harm you. The mouthparts can't bite you and their major defence mechanism is to pull the head in to make the eye spots look like snake eyes. However, when you are cleaning out your caterpillars it is best not to force them to let go of the leaf or twig they cling to as you can easily damage the prolegs (the suckers). Just clear any frass (droppings) off the leaf and transfer it to the clean area, then remove it when the caterpillar has moved onto the fresh food.

JackBD95 · #3 (**permalink**) 21-08-2010, 05:51 PM

nonono my eyed EYED hawk moth attacks me!

JackBD95 · #4 (**permalink**) 22-08-2010, 08:35 AM

omg i just realised...hes actually a poplar hawk moth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and still crazy!?

JackBD95 · #5 (**permalink**) 22-08-2010, 09:41 AM

....he just tried to eat one of the other poplar cats in the tub hes in!
what!

k4t3 · #6 (**permalink**) 22-08-2010, 04:41 PM

Sorry, my fault, misread!

None of the hawks are cannibalistic and certainly can't harm you. Caterpillars often become tetchy prior to pupation, they may wander away from the food source, darken in colour and thrash around violently if touched or disturbed. Just make sure that you provide a pot of soil (preferably sterilised) around 5-6" deep for them to burrow into and pupate. Keep this overwinter in an unheated outhouse or garage away from extreme temperature change until spring, then provide sticks for the adult to climb and expand its wings

JackBD95 · #7 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 09:47 AM

2 things
1. he tried to eat another caterpillar again but it got away
2.is it possible to sterilise your own soil
of yeh and i think that one of my ehms grew an inch in one day!?

Lance Morgan · #8 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 10:13 AM

As already stated HM larvae are not cannibalistic although I have had a few nibble anothers tail horn on rare occassion.
I personally use fresh clean, dryish 'compost' from the bag but it is possible to sterilise soil by 'warming' it up in the oven in an oven proof dish if your wife will let you. I suppose you could also microwave it too but have never tried that