Need Help Identifying this Pupa...

[VickyChaiTea]

I found it lying on the ground in my garden bed. I'm in RI. It may not even still be alive, it does look dark. But maybe it's ok?

I initially thought it was some kind of beetle, so I put it in a tiny kritter keeper with some coco coir. I covered it loosely with a small amount of the substrate and misted the cage.

But! After some looking around it looks like it could be a noctuid moth pupa! If it is, how do I take care of it? Do I put it above ground and put sticks in the enclosure for the moth to climb on? If I'm not mistaken some species don't cocoon on plants and just hang out on the ground.

But I have no real idea. Help please? Any way to test if it's actually alive?

 

[Spepper]

I don't know what it is, but in my experience pupae like that usually wiggle the tip to scare off potential predators when you pick them up. They don't always do it though. But that's a good way to tell if they do.

 

[lancej]

If it's alive, it should wiggle if you apply slight pressure to it. I would say it's a moth pupae, so probably put a stick or two for it climb up on.

 

[The Snark]

If memory serves, it looks like the chrysalis of the Morning Glory butterfly.

 

[JeromeTabuzo]

Hey i know these things very well!! I used to catch them at our school they are found inside barks , they are pupas of cut worms , they are whitish or blackish or even grayish and some are yellowish moths they are small 1-2 inches , they hatch within a few weeks to months (mine longest was 1 month)... the catterpillar's color is brownish or blackish in color and secretes a green substance(their blood) as protection which may stain your hand , it doesnt smell good to.. Good luck hope i helped

 

[bugmankeith]

Depending on cutworm species it might be ready to hatch soon. Keep it in a room that is warm like outside, what I do is tape a paper towel to the side of the critter keeper so emerging moth climbs on that, sticks move to easily and one fall could ruin the wings. Mist with water from a spray bottle daily like underground has and to make sure it emerges easily.

 

[VickyChaiTea]

Thank you so much for the replies. Unfortunately, after some slight squeezing and prodding and seeing that it has gone quite dark, I think it's dead.

I think I'll go on a hunt for more in the garden bed and hopefully find a healthy one.

Thanks again for the answers guys.

 

[Spepper]

That's too bad. But I might still keep it in a jar with a few sticks as suggested. You never know. I found a chrysalis one time that I thought was dead but then a beautiful moth hatched out.

 

[Smokehound714]

Definitely a noctuid pupa.

 

[bugmankeith]

They usually stop moving before hatching and get dark before. You should keep it.