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jamievoetsch Medford, OR Apr 30, 2006

I keep finding these in the dirt around our house. Does anyone know what this is? Perhaps a moth or butterfly cocoon?

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Apr 30, 2006

I would say fly pupae, possibly the common housefly or blowfly

http://bugguide.net/node/view/48016

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) May 01, 2006

Blowfly

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/image?query=%27blowfly+pupae%27&isinit=true

Housefly is smaller pupae

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/image?query=%27housefly+pupae%27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housefly

http://www.deathonline.net/decomposition/corpse_fauna/flies/pupae.htm

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) May 01, 2006

This is the pupa stage of a moth. They pupate in the ground. Does yours have a "handle" on it? Google "moth pupa" for images of several kinds.

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May 01, 2006

Jamie, I find them all over during my spring digging. I agree with Ceejaytown .
Most likely the Spotted Cutworm
http://mint.ippc.orst.edu/spotcutid.htm

This message was edited Apr 30, 2006 6:23 PM

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) May 01, 2006

I think we need to know the length, the Spotted Cutworm is 30mm long, or 1.2". the shape does change with either as the wings and body develop. A blowfly is about 10mm long, just under 1/2".

The fly pupae on bugguide looks similar.

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/image?query=%27moth+pupae%27

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) May 01, 2006

wallaby - We see these all the time here. We don't see fly pupae....unless we have something dead and rotting and jamie would know that, for sure.... lol!

Here's another good site. It has lots of information on it. Scroll down toward the bottom to see the pupae.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/caterpillar_2.html

This message was edited Apr 30, 2006 9:11 PM

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) May 01, 2006

wallaby - My DH just pointed out that it is the middle of the night in the UK. What are you doing still up? LOL

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jamievoetsch Medford, OR May 01, 2006

Thanks guys, I am pretty sure it is the Spotted Cutworm. :)

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) May 01, 2006

And maybe not...There are several species of moths that form that type of pupa. Very difficult to tell which is which. I put them in a jar with some soil, put on a lid with holes, and place the jar in a protected place (from sun and rain) and then wait to see what emerges. Be sure to check each day or all you'll find is a dead something with battered wings.....

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) May 01, 2006

ceejay.....I'm a naughty girl!

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ceejaytown The Woodlands, TX(Zone 9a) May 01, 2006

LOL

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