Elephant Hawk Moth pupa

Tess Warwick · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2010, 02:08 PM

Hello everyone,

My partner has just found an Elephant Hawk Moth pupa on a path. I gather from the other postings about them on this (fantastic) website that it won't be too far off emerging as its new self.
What I would like to ask the Forum is what do we do with it in the meantime?
What does it need as far as accommodation until it does emerge? And what do we need to do when it does? I would love to be able to watch the process ...

Thank you,
Tess

Jim Ford · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2010, 02:28 PM

When I had one I put it in a jar with a couple of inches of loose and dampish earth, with a stick poking out the top for the moth to climb up.

I put the jar on the windowsill over the kitchen sink, so it would be frequently observed.

The moth hatched OK and we released it.

Jim

Tess Warwick · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2010, 11:00 PM

I did wonder if it would be too warm in the kitchen but as we have a cool pantry I might try there. When should I expect it to hatch?

Thanks Jim

Greta

Lance Morgan · #4 (**permalink**) 15-05-2010, 04:37 PM

Hi Greta
If it stays reasonably warm it could hatch any time now. In the wild a little later. They are a very pretty moth probably our most beautiful.

Dragon lady · #5 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 03:07 PM

I have 2 elephant hawk moth pupae that I've had since they were caterpillars last year. They've overwintered well and are wriggling when lightly touched. I have them in a 'bug cage' in a cool but light shed. When can I expect them to hatch? Do they need direct sunlight as I have them in the shade at present?
Thanks for any help.

Lance Morgan · #6 (**permalink**) 20-05-2010, 09:03 AM

Normal flight time is late May and June. Do not put them in direct sunlight. A light spray with water ( aerosol) once a day is good too. If they are kept indoors they will emerge sooner than when kep outside.

Dragon lady · #7 (**permalink**) 21-05-2010, 09:00 AM

Many thanks for that Lance. I have been keeping the compost they're on slightly moist by watering from underneath so as not to soak them but I'll start misting them instead. I'll let you know when my babies arrive!!!

timmeroo · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 11:54 AM

Hi there all - just rego'd and logged in.
We have an elli hawk moth in a fuschia.
Are they prey to toads? Only it disappeared for a couple of days after we noticed a large fat Toady of Toad Hall in the vicinity, but 'Ellie' then reappeared - or could it be a diff one?
How many eggs/larvae do EHM's lay in one spot?
Should I put a mesh around the plant?
'Ellie' seems to mainly remain at the base of the plant, reasonably protected by the stalks.
Can't see that he/she's eaten any leaves - do they sap on the sap?
Sorry - many Q's. Just a-wonderin' what to do to help it 'survive'
Should I put him in a safe place with plenty of willow-herb or just wait for him/her to turn into a 'puppy'?
All suggesto's gratefully recieved.
Cheers all - great site
Tim

Harry Eales · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 12:09 PM

Hello Tim,

I've not heard of Frogs or Toads for that matter, eating Elephant Hawk Moth larvae, but that's not to say some haven't tried.

When full fed EH larva wander away from the foodplant looking for somewhere to pupate so that may account for youer missing larva.

EH females usually only lay one ot two ova per plant but if the female is injured and unable to fly well or is weak she may lay a much larger number.

EH larvae are easy to rear as long as you renew the foodplant twice a day and clean out the recepticle you are keeping them in. When ready to pupate they shrink slightly in size and take on an oily appearance. Then place them in a box along with some dried leaves and they will spin these together in a loose or open mesh net of silk. They will then change into a pupa after a week or so.

Keep the pupae cool in winter in an unheated bedroom, or pantry is fine. Do not seal them up in airtight boxes, they do need breath. In late march-April bring them into warmer conditons, but not near a radiator or in sunlight, mist lightly with a plant spray every two or three days and anytime from late May onwards they will emerge.

Sheds and garages are not really suitable for overwintering unless they are in permanent shade, as they can heat up in sunny weather even in the middle of winter. The adults will need a rough vertical surface on which they will sit after emergence in order to expand their wings. Lining the box with corrugated cardboard with the groove and ridges running parallel to the floor is ideal.

Harry

timmeroo · #10 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 11:43 PM

Harry - many thanks for your informative reply. Not sure if I'll go down the interferance route afterall - we'll see.
Said Ellie disappeared again earlier today then re-emerged later to chop on a juicy fuschia leaf or two, rested for a bit and has now disappeared again. It must move pretty damn quick considering it appears large and slothful. Wonderin' where it pops off too before returning to the 'fuschia bar'. - unless we are seeing more than one as they crawl in from wherever to fatten up to then go off and pupate. We are of the opinion that it only moves out of sight when it knows/senses we are no longer about. Got a few good digi shots and some fine samples of EHM larvae poo too -they look like teency-weency hand-grenades !