Moved from ID Request.


This is a modest sphinx larva (Pachysphinx modesta). This species does not spin a cocoon but pupates underground in the natural setting. If you want to keep this pupa alive and overwinter it I would recommend you follow these easy instructions. Simply bury the pupa under fairly moist, but not wet, loose soil... preferably from near where it was found, not potting soil or another store bought variety that may have chemicals added. Bury the pupa under a few inches of the soil in a closed container. I usually bury naked pupae in buckets with lids or small ziploc containers and leave them in my garage through the winter. In the spring, in early or mid May, bring the pupa indoors and unearth it, placing it in an enclosure where the adult moth can climb to inflate its wings. There are a number of ways to overwinter pupae, but I have found this method to work best. What is important is that the pupa does not dry out and that it is exposed to near natural temperatures.