Any one good at I.D.ing Bugs

[Mark F.]

I found a crysilis today while digging in the garden (big one). If you like I can Email you a photo I took with the digital camera.

[madgardener]

Beecrofter is really good...........and there is someone else lurking who will possibly respond if he's looking....... madgardener

[animaux]

If it's relatively long (2") and has a hook at one end, it is a sphinx moth or something in that family. I've brought them indoors to hatch. I used a very airy container and left some soil in with it. The thing hatched and made quite the racket, then hung there for hours as it's wings filled up and it was magnificent to watch.

Victoria

[Mark F.]

That's a big yes. It does have a big hook on the end and is about 2 inches.. I saw millions of the caterpillars one year in Death Valley on vacation one year. They eat every thing in there path.

[animaux]

They are tobacco horn worms or tomato horn worms. When it emerges from the cocoon, it is a moth with approx. a 6 inch wing span. It's one of the largest moths and they are beautiful. They look like hummingbirds, when in flight and actually drink nectar as hummingbirds do. Here are a few places to look:

you can see, there are many which are called the common name, hummingbird moth. They are the largest of moths. Just beautiful. Plant some datura in your gardens so they have a place to eat and lay eggs. At night, they are magical.

Victoria