www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

This turned up in some old builder's sand in the garden. It ain't a butterfly, I suppose it could be a larger moth. What else has a pupa of about 50mm?

Looks like Poplar Hawk to me, or possibly Elephant Hawk.

Reverdin wrote:Looks like Poplar Hawk to me, or possibly Elephant Hawk.

I'd go for Elephant Hawk ... one of the most beautiful moths on the whole planet to my eyes. Superb shape and colouring.

One of my favourites and sometimes, their distictive larvae can be found on Fuschias even in ordinary small gardens.

Yeah, I'd say Elephant Hawkmoth pupa. I'd bet there's Rosebay Willowherb in the same area.
Michael

I re-buried it. I suppose that I can dig it up again and see what hatches but it's probably better to let nature take its course.

I have taken Poplar Hawk Moth in a Heath trap this year and I do have a small patch of Rosebay Willowherb.