elephant hawk moth caterpillar

[quark1]

I've only had this little beastie a few hours and I'm sure its back is starting to get darker which means its on the change to chrysallis a lot sooner than I thought!

Still quite active - but definite changes occurring!

[trish60]

Well done Still no sign of mine.
Hope they've found some more food & will be OK.

[craigrockfield]

Spotted a Eyed Hawk Moth on my apple tree, been there for 3 days that I know of at the moment. This subject happens to be the latest topic on my blog at the moment, link below. Wondering if anyone is able to work out how close it us to adulthood and turning into a fully grown moth will do my best to keep an eye on it and see what it does.

[quark1]

Craig - I would say that fat little fellow is very close to changing to chrysallis.

Of course with him being so fat - he's going to make a tasty snack for a hungry bird.

If you want to follow the progress more closely - perhaps you could do what I've done and keep it safe 'til next year. You just need to be sure of its food source until it changes - and as you've found it on an apple tree that would seem the best choice. Once it has changed just leave the remaining foliage to dry out as he will need no further food until he changes to a moth.

You may chose the alternative and just leave it to nature to sort it out one way or the other. You may find it hard to find once it changes as it will likely conceal itself among the branches and if it does survive the winter you have no surety that you will be there when it emrges. Personally I love these creatures so much I would hate for mine to become dinner and this way I can guarantee barring accidents a new moth for next year.

My one now has half his back turning brown - I'll keep updating as things develop.

[quark1]

It became a chrysallis today!

Unfortunately this happened overnight and I didn't see it emerge from its old skin which lies wrinkled and black in the bottom of the container.

Reckon nothing more will happen until Mar/Apr next year - so nighty-night!

[buzzingtalk]

Someone on another forum i use found a privet moth and put it in a massive enclosure with loads of food and lots of soil/earth to dig in = pretty soon it dug down for winter, roll on spring!