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Whose chrysalis is this?

madpenguinmadpenguin Isle of WightPosts: 2,143
in Wildlife gardening
Dug this giant chrysalis up in the garden today.
It is about 2 inches long.
Anyone know what it belongs to?

“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings

Posts

  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 16,557
    I have several Hawk Moth caterpillars on my fuchsias a good two inches long so could be that. Difficult to say, for me anyway. 


    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 3,124
    Elephant Hawk moths - food plants are willowherb and fuchsias :)
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Isle of WightPosts: 2,143
    Thanks.Not seen any Hawk Moths in my garden but obviously around somewhere!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 3,124
    They are very fast! I've got loads of willowherb and fuchsias and have only seen one a couple of times, still hoping to find a caterpillar...
  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 16,557
    Because willowherb is death to fuchsias, I won’t let it flourish, but I do have a lot of hardy fuchsias in the ground and get lots of these caterpillars, I never remove them, they can eat what they want. 
    The Moth is beautiful. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • karen paulkaren paul Posts: 230
    I'd say definitely a hawk moth too, though it could also be a deaths head hawk moth which occasionally migrates from Africa to Britain. I raise them as a hobby and they eat privet in captivity but also like potato plants. Let us know what it turned out to be if possible :)
  • karen paulkaren paul Posts: 230
    See how the pupae is very similar.
  • karen paulkaren paul Posts: 230

    Beautiful caterpillars. One of my favourite species. The adult moths squeak :) So lovely.
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