Identify This Cocoon - Ask Extension
Hello,Would someone be able to identify this cocoon type thing?I was tilling my garden and it was underground.I was taking its picture and it rolled o...
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Identify This Cocoon #291719
Asked November 25, 2015, 4:46 PM EST
Hello,
Would someone be able to identify this cocoon type thing?
I was tilling my garden and it was underground.
I was taking its picture and it rolled off the fence rail and kind of split open, so it probably wont survive.
Hopefully its not a beneficial insect.
Thank you in advance.
Would someone be able to identify this cocoon type thing?
I was tilling my garden and it was underground.
I was taking its picture and it rolled off the fence rail and kind of split open, so it probably wont survive.
Hopefully its not a beneficial insect.
Thank you in advance.
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
This is the pupa of one of the sphinx moths ("hummingbird" moths). Most of these would not be considered beneficial but they are sure fun to watch as they hover over flowers at dusk. Best guess is the Achemon sphinx moth.
see also: http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/hornworms-and-hummingbird-moths-5-517/ and
http://bspm.agsci.colostate.edu/files/2013/03/Achemon-Sphinx.pdf
see also: http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/hornworms-and-hummingbird-moths-5-517/ and
http://bspm.agsci.colostate.edu/files/2013/03/Achemon-Sphinx.pdf
