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Project Noah Nature School
Daphnis nerii
Daphnis nerii (Linnaeus, 1758), the Oleander Hawk-moth. Overnight, the green form of the 5th instar larva turned into this dark pre-pupal form. This is the larva just before it pupates.
Backyard garden.
Here are the related spottings: Adult Male - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/171.... Releasing the Adult Female - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169.... Adult Female - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170.... Days 13and14 Pre-eclosion Pupa and Day 15 Pupal case - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170.... Days 10and12 Pupa - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170.... Day 2 Pupa - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/171.... 5th Instar Pre-pupal Larva - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170.... 5th Instar Larva - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169.... 2nd Instar Larva - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169....
Spotted on Dec 16, 2012
Submitted on Dec 17, 2012
2 Comments
Hi Pam. I took this photo Dec 16. By morning of Dec 17, it was already preparing its hiding place, and by Dec 18, when I checked it beneath the leaves, it has already turned into its pupal form - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/171.... Wow, I'm excited for you! :)
Agnes, Just found this same caterpillar under a bush in my garden being bothered by ants. Put it in a container with earth and leaves and it immediately disappeared under the leaves, presumably to pupate. From this stage, any idea how long it takes to pupate? I know the moth emerges 14 days after that (very helpful info on your spottings and a great link - http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/nis/bulletin20...) I really want to catch the eclosion. Seems it happens at night so I want to be ready.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/173...