Privet hawk moth caterpillar advice needed

[2dogs2000]

This afternoon my daughter rang to say you have to come and see this giant caterpillar. I went and collected it and identified it as a privet hawkmoth caterpillar (correct me if I am wrong).



I have it in a tub and put soil and sticks in and it has now burrowed under the soil. I have read that they do this when they are ready to pupate and that they will stay in the soil now until next June.

I didn't realise that they pupate in the soil and I don't think I have allowed enough depth of soil. When I lift the tub up I can quite clearly see him/her from underneath. Do I disturb him/her now? Will he/she have enough soil to protect him/her from below during winter? I have added more soil on top but I am worried about the depth below him/her.

Does that make sense?

[Lance Morgan]

Hi
Don't worry. PHM can burrow to about 5 inches depending on substrate. Leave well alone now and keep it somewhere cool for a couple of weeks and then it should be OK to remove it. Over winter keep it outside in an unheated shed or garage in a plastic or tin box to protect from mice etc.
I have had them pupate ok in nothing more than a plastic margarine tub with a couple of tissues in it.

[2dogs2000]

That's a relief. Thank you.