Elephant Hawk Moth Catterpillar

[Cazzie]

Thanks Dogghound

So he's now in the back porch with no heating on in there - is that ok so I can keep an eye on him for now?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Cazzie

Thanks Dogghound

So he's now in the back porch with no heating on in there - is that ok so I can keep an eye on him for now?

yes should be ok, keep fresh vegetation for it everyday until it pupates, i always used to keep them in the shed.

[rscott74]

Cazzie - the poster found that she was pregnant since finding the caterpillar and the baby would arrive before the moth emerged!

[Lance Morgan]

So ladies keep away from caterpillars or else!!

[Cazzie]

It's not eaten a thing since yesterday, no nibbles on any of the leaves at all

Is it going to be ok, or should I go and find a nice big patch of willow herb and let it go back to nature

[Lance Morgan]

Hi Cazzie
It probably is ready to pupate. It will stop feeding, wander about, spin a loose cocoon under some rubbish on the surface or slightly under the soil then do the business.
keep it cool in unheated shed or something for the winter and it will emerge next may/june.

[Cazzie]

Thanks Lance

I just didn't want to do anything wrong for it. I've dried out some willowherb leaves in the oven this morning and put them in (taken fresh ones out), but it's still doing circuits in the tank

[Lance Morgan]

Yes it will walk round for quite a bit till it finds a site to its liking. Usually under dry grass leaves or other rubbish. It will settle down spin its loose cocoon underneath the leaves etc and then it voids quite a bit of fluid (this is normal) to shrink it down a bit before it sheds its final skin to reveal the pupa which dries out like a shell. Leave it be for a few weeks till this stage is completed then you can carefully dig about and have a look at the pupa (or just leave it if you wish)
I normally keep mine in an old sweet tin on a bit of corrugated cardboard in the garage for the winter. This protects it from mice, mould, or other pests.
In the spring I get them out and put them in an emergence cage indoors and spray lightly with clean water daily.
Put some sticks in the cage for the moth to climb up to expand and dry its wings.
Good luck with yours.
regards

[rscott74]

Stick with it Cazzie, you'll assure its future better than Mother Nature. Come next May/June your son and yourself will get a lot of pleasure and a sense of achievement, I did. Hope everything goes well.

[Cazzie]

Ooo guess what!! It seems to be gathering leaves in the corner of the tank!

The leaves seem quite big for it to handle... should I put a sprinkling of dried grass in there to do ya think?

Btw, Denzel is on my diningroom table atm, as it's nice a cool in here and pretty hot outside even in the garage. Also I can watch what he's up to lol!

Thanks for your help and advice everyone!