Sphinx Moth Pupa from the genus Manduca

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Subject: Arizona Pod creature
Location: Arizona
May 2, 2017 7:12 pm
Ok, lets see if you can figure this one out. Found wriggling it’s way through the dirt in our backyard in Fountain Hills, AZ.
Signature: Dave

Sphinx Moth Pupa

Dear Dave,
This is the pupa of a Sphinx Moth, and our gut reaction is that it is in the genus Manduca.  We were going to inquire if there were tomato plants in the vicinity where it was found, but we took a closer look at the jug-like handle, which is the sheath of the proboscis, and the groves on it look different than what we are used to seeing on the Carolina Sphinx pupa that is commonly found feeding as a caterpillar on tomato plants.  A search of BugGuide leads us to believe this is the pupa of a Rustic Sphinx.  An image of the pupa of the Carolina Sphinx pictured on BugGuide also has the grooves.  If there was a vegetable patch near the sighting, our money is on the Carolina Sphinx.

5 thoughts on “Sphinx Moth Pupa from the genus Manduca”

  1. Yes, this is Manduca rustica; great pupa! And according to the darker colour, the moth will hatch soon… “Wriggling its way through” is a fascinating detail; this behaviour is presumed in literature (see Bill Oehlke) as probable for subterranean hawkmoth pupae before eclosion – and here is some evidence! Thank You very much for sharing. – Maybe there is a desert willow bush (Chilopsis linearis) close to the place. This is really a discovery site.

    Best wishes
    Bostjan

    Reply

    • Under my rose bush I inherited from previous owner lived in Washington state are three pupa wiggling I covered em up again with only a couple “ of dirt still wiggling week later
      Kay in Rio Rancho NM April 3 2020.

      Reply

  2. Yes, this is Manduca rustica; great pupa! And according to the darker colour, the moth will hatch soon… “Wriggling its way through” is a fascinating detail; this behaviour is presumed in literature (see Bill Oehlke) as probable for subterranean hawkmoth pupae before eclosion – and here is some evidence! Thank You very much for sharing. – Maybe there is a desert willow bush (Chilopsis linearis) close to the place. This is really a discovery site.

    Best wishes
    Bostjan

    Reply

    • Under my rose bush I inherited from previous owner lived in Washington state are three pupa wiggling I covered em up again with only a couple “ of dirt still wiggling week later
      Kay in Rio Rancho NM April 3 2020.

      Reply

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