Moth pupae Cordyceps

[bill and Dale]

Hi everybody.   I need help from a moth pupae specialist. Today in the
woods I found several fungi called Cordyceps militaris. The fruiting
body is a spindle shaped mushroom about 3-5 cm tall, orange/yellow.
Each one is attached to a moth pupae that was buried 2-6 cm
underground.  The pupae appear to me to be some type of sphinx moth but
since I have no training in larvae identification I could be mistaken.
The pupae are 1 to1.7 cm in length and .5 cm in width.  They are dark
reddish/brown to almost black.  All five I collected seem to be pupa of
the same species. I would very much like to know what they are?  Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Although the pupa are dead and
mummified they appear to be in good shape. I would be willing to send
one out to someone if they believe it can be identified.
 Thanks.
                                                                Bill
Yule


 
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