Perhaps the pupal case of the "white worms."

The worms don't get as large as this. Thanks, Jeannie :)

To determine who it is:
1. Put the pupa in a clear container.
2. Add lid that's porous -- eg. paper towel -- held in place with a rubberband.
3. Set on the counter/ your desk -- a place where you'll see it every day.

When the moth emerges, post its picture for us to see.

I believe it's the chrysalis of a Greater Canna Leafroller; the adult is a type of butterfly called a skipper. I am totally in the dark about what you mean by "good larvae ".

Rhizo....please get out of the dark! I mean as "good larva" when it becomes an adult will it be beneficial to my garden or will it eat up my canna leaves again.If it will be a moth or butterfly, they are welcomed in my yard. Just trying to find out. Isn't that what this forum is about.
Jean001a....I did as you posted and hopefully we will see what it becomes.
Thanks, Jeannie :)

Not confused.....I've been gardening for over 30yrs.....I have just never seen that large of a what-ever-it is on my canna leaves. I've had the small white (almost see through ones) off and on for over 30 yrs. I love watching nature also.....I have so much butterfly weed in my garden already and I still buy more every spring for the butterflies. Just wanted to see what this would turn into. Thanks, Jeannie :)

Did this guy make threads around the leaf to hold it closed? Found some Canna leaves like that yesterday. Inside each was a little greenish caterpillar, lots of poo, smelly. Lesser canna leafrollers I think since sources I found said greater canna leafrollers cut the leaves before rolling them. I don't usually interfere but I got involved in this one for sure.

From what I can discern with the help of the handy-dandy WWW, yellow sulphur larvae will munch a bit on leaves but they don't roll them up. Lesser leafrollers are not attractive, IMO, and not why I have the Cannas. The leafrollers have no purpose except to eat Cannas, as far as I can tell.

The link below is informative but I'm very disappointed in the control info. It took 5 minutes to remove the affected leaves and eradicate the munchers. Can't imagine poisoning the yard over something so trivial, easy to find, and eradicate.

Here is a link that might be useful: NC State info sheet

Got out there to take a pic. This leaf looked worth saving after removing the critter.

Will soon see the real identity.....Thanks, Jeannie :)

No doubt. Excellent pic. You can see it's changing to a winged thing. Keep us posted!

Almost! Thanks, Jeannie :)

Thanks Rhizo. Looks like it is the larger canna leafroller, Calpodes ethlius (Stoll), whose adult form is variously called the Brazilian skipper, the canna butterfly, or the arrowroot butterfly. I found this website for more info. Thanks, Jeannie :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Featured Creatures

It started to rain, so I checked on him and now setting him free. I've always seen the smaller white worms (almost see-thru) and never saw one when it was this large. It was a neat experience to watch. Thanks purpleinopp for the advice. I raise butterflies (mostly Monarch and a few Gulf Fritillary ). Thanks, Jeannie :)

Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated.

tj

I wanted to also thank Jean001a for the idea about watching it in the jar with papertowel and rubberband. I had it on a tall shelf in my covered breezeway and it just started raining earlier, and I went to check on it and noticed it had emerged. I'm sure I'll use the jar idea again. I've been seeing a black butterfly fluttering by in the summer, but he always leaves my yard....I guess he/she's being selective on what he/she's looking for. I have all kinds of tropical plants and lots of native ones. Who knows! Thanks, Jeannie :)

We love people who are observant and interested in what's going on in their garden. We ALL learn together.