Very Large Pupae ID please

Shel60 · #1 (**permalink**) 15-08-2011, 07:15 PM

Hello... I wonder if anyone can shed light on something my friend had in her garden yesterday, whatever it was it bit the dog!! By time I had got to the house she had hidden it in the overgrowth to avoid the kids picking it up and from the dog bringing it back into the garden, we went out in garden and where she had put it, it had vanished. I will try to describe it as follows, sadly she had not taken picture of it.
It was pupae of some kind, Black and white markings, it was wriggling and teeth were visible on the front end of it, in length it was approx 3 to 4 " long. Girth was approx 2cm maybe 3cm ..make a ring with your thumb and forefinger and you will have rough idea. When touched it wriggled and I think it had huge spike on it, dog played and picked it up by mouth and thats how the dog got bitten...

Kind Regards
Shel

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 15-08-2011, 08:58 PM

I have no idea what it is but look on google at beetle larvae as they bite can't think what else it could be.

Try mealworm but they are yellowish..

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 09:00 AM

Pupae cant bite, the "teeth" are part of the cremaster which it uses to attatch itself to things to keep itself stable through pupation.

Lance Morgan · #4 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 09:06 AM

Could be hawkmoth pupae but would need more to go on. As stated pupae can't bite or sting and are harmless. They are the dormant overwintering stage of lepidoptera. This type like to burrow down in the soil for protection. Best leave it alone or you/dog will damage/kill it.

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 16-08-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Could be hawkmoth pupae but would need more to go on. As stated pupae can't bite or sting and are harmless. They are the dormant overwintering stage of lepidoptera. This type like to burrow down in the soil for protection. Best leave it alone or you/dog will damage/kill it.

This is what made me think beetle larvae..

Shel60 · #6 (**permalink**) 17-08-2011, 04:29 PM

Thank you guys for all your posts. I will google it and as you say Pupae cannot bite. Just wish she had taken picture of it. will contact her and get better description for. Once again many thanks for your help

Kind Regards Shel