Odd Find On The Patio

Chat with fellow forum users. No adverts or trade links in here please.
Post Reply
ApusApus
Posts: 2133
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 11:54 am
Location: Kato Paphos

Odd Find On The Patio

Post by ApusApus »

Saw this on the patio when I got up in the morning! At first, I thought is was a present left by one of the cats but then it moved!
Oleander Hawk Moth Larva Sample 1.jpg
Oleander Hawk Moth Larva Sample 1.jpg (58.47 KiB) Viewed 1598 times
One with a teaspoon next to it for size comparison!
Oleander Hawk Moth Larva Sample 2.jpg
Oleander Hawk Moth Larva Sample 2.jpg (70.02 KiB) Viewed 1598 times
Finally, another view of it's side!
Oleander Hawk Moth Larva Sample 3.jpg
Oleander Hawk Moth Larva Sample 3.jpg (67.21 KiB) Viewed 1598 times
The culprit, an Oleander Hawk Moth larva in its final instar stage before pupating into an adult moth!


Shane
Anarita John
Posts: 1002
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:18 pm
Location: Formally Rochdale, Penrhyn Bay and Anarita

Re: Odd Find On The Patio

Post by Anarita John »

If you get them on an oleander bush, they can decimate the foliage almost like a swarm of locusts.
ApusApus
Posts: 2133
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 11:54 am
Location: Kato Paphos

Re: Odd Find On The Patio

Post by ApusApus »

Happy in Cyprus wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:52 pm Shane, surely it's a little early for pupating given the current cold weather? I always understood that birds, butterflies and insects took their cue from the weather. They are beautiful moths though.
If anything, it seems very late as the pupa usually overwinters on the ground as a chrysalis before emerging when it's warm enough as the adult moth!


Shane
Post Reply