Privet Hawkmoth Advice

[Neal 1,932]

No photos I'm afraid, but as there have been a few hawkmoth threads in this section it seemed the best place to start it but feel free to move it if necessary.

 

Anyway...my six year old son just came rushing in from the garden telling me he'd found a caterpillar in his veg patch. It turned out to be a stunning monster of a privet hawkmoth. After checking in my Collins pocket guide to insects we've put some privet, lilac and ash leaves in a bug observation box and it started feeding immediately. I know they pupate underground, but he wants to know if there's any way he can keep it until the moth emerges or is it a case of letting it go in our privet hedge and wishing it best luck.

 

Thanks in advance.

[J Darcy 5,871]

Hi, once the cat has stopped eating he will start doing laps of his cage. A good way to get him to pupate is to line the bottom of the cage with 2 inch of ash leaves, simply pull them off the branch. Once he has vanished from sight give him a week, then carefully have a look for him. He will be in a cocoon he has made for himself. He should look all dark brown and shiney.This is now his pupa, so handle him with care. There are many ways to over winter the privet HM, the best is probably put him in a garage, or somewhere cool. There's no way he will hatch this year, but next april bring him inside and he will eventually emerge into a moth. OR you could simply let him go in the countryside, away from roads.

[Neal 1,932]

Thanks...brilliant advice.

 

Oscar says, "Thank you," too.