Kinda looks like some form of cucaracha. Otherwise a bug with a carapace. So what's the "yuck"? I hope you're not considering chemical warfare...

Dennis

We thought it was some kind of larvae. It moves like a grub worm, we couldn't find any legs of any sort. In fact, it reminds me of a big dark red grub worm. The yuck is it's gross.
Pam

It's a the pupal case of a moth. If the puppy pierced it, the pupa is likely dead.

Yup, that was a moth version of a coccoon. At the size you described it would have to be one of the bigger moths like maybe a luna moth. I don't mean it is a luna moth, just that it is a moth that would be quite large when all done.

They cn be hard to identify without hatching them out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pupa discussion

It is the same moth as from the movie Silence of the Lambs. I forget the scientific name.
:-)

Thanks guys, I was thinking some kind of pre-moth but wasn't sure. I assumed it was a larvae due to it's movement. It was kinda moving like a worm, it wasn't motionless it would kinda extend then compress and had forward movement, I assumed the black part at the end was it's head (not the more pointed end but the rounded one). I wish I'd kept it and looked at it closer. I do not think the puppy pierced it, she was playing with it but I don't think she bit.
Pam

Yep. Some kind of grub. My soil is loaded with them when I till. Perhaps some beneficial nematodes this coming spring?

Other than that, I don't have much to add, Pam. Except that Puppies RULE!!!!!!!!!!

Kevin

Not a grub. Grubs are a certain kind of baby beetles.

Instead, a pupa of a moth. The stage during which the caterpillar transforms into the moth then emerges from the pupal case as an adult -- the moth.

They Yucky part was likely puppy drool. Pupae are dry when left un-drooled upon.

Pre-moth. I like that. :)

Thanks Jean. I guess I've been too general in what "grubs" are. Moth PUPAE look much like beetle grubs though, correct?

Kevin

They do to me. ;-)

And Dennis, the Yuck part is... well... look at it.... YUCK. it's ugly, I sure don't want to touch it. Don't like grubs either... yuck.

Pam

I guess one person's Yuck is another person's Wow That's Cool. I'd be delighted to find such a large specimen. Because, well, wow, that's cool! :)

Anyway, I think I now have an answer to the question "what was the caterpillar's major in college?" Pre-moth.

I think grubs look quite different-usually white, c-shaped and showing obvious mouth and legs. I'm not quite as fond of those.

sphinx moth or as we gardners know them tomato worms