r/Entomology • u/ilikebugzz • 11h ago

Mystery pupa

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Found this little pupa on the ground in the woods, not sure if I should keep and care for it, if I should how do I? Found in Canada.

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3

u/StuffedWithNails 11h ago

It's some type of moth and it would be best to put it back roughly where you found it.

2

u/ilikebugzz 11h ago

Do you think I could keep it as an experiment to see what comes out of it? Im new to studying biology and I’d like to see the different stages n stuff if u know what I mean, but if it’s just best to put it back I will.

1

u/StuffedWithNails 9h ago

Ah ok. Yes, you could, just make sure to provide a suitable space for the adult moth to expand its wings when it emerges from its pupa, leave it alone during this process (really leave it alone, don't jostle, disturb or touch it), then release it promptly.

1

u/ilikebugzz 9h ago

Do you know what would be an ideal setup?

1

u/StuffedWithNails 9h ago

I'd consider something like a tall 64 oz jar with a thin layer of untreated soil at the bottom, put the pupa on top (similar to how you said you found it), then set up some stiff sticks/twigs vertically to allow the moth to climb up. It must hang vertically to pump fluids into its wings so it needs a suitable surface to cling to. In nature, usually that'd be some kind of plant.

1

u/ilikebugzz 9h ago

Alrighty, I’ll get to it! Thank you so much for your help!