Subject: Identify
Location: Central Texas zip code 78640
January 20, 2013 12:58 pm
Dear sir,
I was turning garden soil for early planting when I came across an unfamiliar insect stage. Coul you help me wit identification. It is brown and just under 3 inches. I placed it on the edge of a cinder block next to a ruller an took a close up photo whith my digital camera. It was found less than 6 inches underground. I am located in central Texas at zip code 78640
Signature: Richard A. McKean
Hi Richard,
This is the pupa of a Sphinx Moth in the genus Manduca. There are two species that feed on the leaves of tomato plants and other plants in the family Solanacea.
I found one here in Miami, Fl. about 3 inches long
Found one near Sacramento, California. About a foot down, near the edge of a garden box. On opposite side from tomato plant location.