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Manduca sexta fifth istar larvae on tomatoes,
Berkeley, Alameda County, California,
August 5, 2011, courtesy of Grace Munakata

Grace Munakata is a teacher and a painter. She writes, I "have planted my backyard almost entirely for bugs & birds. Have a butterfly bush that is more like a tree and plenty of milkweed. Have seen no monarchs so far & less than 6 swallowtails. Lots of bees tho."

I recommended she plant some portulaca to bring in Hyles lineata, and I am very surprised she has not recorded Hemaris thetis on her butterfly bush, but they do look quite a bit like large bees!.

Grace has taken the time to observe and document the excavation of tunnels and burrowing of the larvae.

She writes, "A friend gave me six huge caterpillars yesterday, one of which has already burrowed down. Will put up 1/4" mesh about 30" tall and about 20" wide with a top in case they actually become moths this summer- then will release."

Maduca sexta, mature larva in pupation pot, Grace Munakata.

Maduca sexta, mature larva in pupation pot, Grace Munakata.

Maduca sexta, mature larva in pupation pot, Grace Munakata.

Maduca sexta, mature larva in pupation pot, Grace Munakata.

Best of luck to Grace in her efforts to bring more lepidoptera and birds into her yard. Coincidentally I received an email earlier today from a gentleman in Connecticut or Massachusetts who watched a cardinal pick a feeding M. sexta larva from one of his tomato plants. If the caterpillars come, the birds will soon follow.

While it is fascinating to watch the excavation process, attempts to duplicate nature's resources, ie., providing soft earth or pupation medium in which to excavate and pupate, can present some problems.

It is important that the larva remain in a humid environment, but one that is not too wet. Under natural conditions either rain or the upward "wicking" of moisture from the soil below, help to maintain a relatively high humidity in the soil surrounding the pupation chamber. There is also a natural drainage so that the pupa never gets submerged, at least not for any length of time. Unless the pupation pots that Grace has chosen have drainage holes, efforts to keep the medium moist may introduce too much moisture. On the other hand, such holes in the bottom of the pot can cause the medium to dry out rather quickly.

If the moth does emerge from its pupa successfully, it will also need something on which to climb and from which to hang so that it can inflate its wings properly.

A stick inserted into soil without damaging the pupa, or a stick on a diagonal from the medium surface to near the top of the "pot" should also be sufficient.

I actually recommend the method discussed in "For care of "found larvae/caterpillars" visit Manduca sexta larva, central Texas, August 21, 2008, Trina Woodall."

On the other hand, there is much to be learned and appreciated from watching more natural processes.

I was delighted to receive this email note from Grace on April 21, 2012:

"Hi Bill,

"This is Grace from Berkeley. I had six pupae that did not eclose last summer. I put three in the fridge with the bubble wrap, napkins and tissue covers, and three in a bucket of dirt. One of my nephews, who is a marine biologist warned me that if the lid was too tight, bacteria in the soil etc. could get them, so I left the pail lid ajar. Then it rained and rained for a few days in February, and the pail was full of water and mud. I figured I had drowned them, but I cleaned them up and put them in a paper towel with a large houseplant in studio. Today I noticed one had its lower abdomen sticking up out of the dirt, and it turns out all three are FINE and rotating their back ends.

"We're at about 13.5 hr daylight now, close to what I have read is recommended.

"Put them in a big tupperware that can hold files. Will add the three from fridge, according to your instructions. Would be sooo cool if they emerge, though not sure what they would nectar on. I have blooming sage, potatoe vine, roses, freesia etc., maybe will plant some petunias. Hope I have good news for You soon!!"

I replied: "Hi Grace,

"They apparently have a remarkable ability to withstand being submerged. I would like permission to post this observation, credited to you to Manduca sexta page?

"Best of luck with them."

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 Subfamily: Sphinginae, Latreille, [1802] Tribe: Sphingini, Latreille, 1802 Genus: Manduca Hubner, 1807 ........... Species: sexta sexta Butler, 1877

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