Insect nest?
- Thread starter ecampbell
- Start date
I found the same thing at work today. I will take a picture tomorrow. It doesn't have a hole in it. What do you think, should I open it?
Don't open it, it will be more or less green goop inside of it at this time. If you can, keep it around and keep an eye on it to see what emerges from it. I have a large cocoon I found on a landscape the other day. I clipped the branch with the cocoon attatched. I have it on the dash of my work van to see what comes out when it hatches, if it hatches.
I took a picture, but I couldn't cut it out of the tree because it is a new liner (Common Persimmon) and there wouldn't be anything left of the tree if I cut out the cocoon. Now I'll never know what comes out.
Sara, you can still find out. Run the tip of your pruning knife along the cocoon's connection and ease it off of the liner. The only detail you have to keep in mind is to maintain its orientation because the emergence valve is positioned in response to gravity and is a function of inclination of the cocoon on its support. Have at it and keep it facing the same way in the jar.
- Yes, I did some research as a youngster after several cocoons failed to produce.
Yeah, I hear ya, it's a liner that was potted up last summer though, so most likely it cocooned itself on the property. It's 17 acres so there are probably a ton of them hiding.
You need more Sarracenia and Drosera on the property.Yeah, I hear ya, it's a liner that was potted up last summer though, so most likely it cocooned itself on the property. It's 17 acres so there are probably a ton of them hiding.
those are some serious instructions...i'll give it a whirl tomorrow!Sara, you can still find out. Run the tip of your pruning knife along the cocoon's connection and ease it off of the liner. The only detail you have to keep in mind is to maintain its orientation because the emergence valve is positioned in response to gravity and is a function of inclination of the cocoon on its support. Have at it and keep it facing the same way in the jar.
- Yes, I did some research as a youngster after several cocoons failed to produce.
Very cool! Can you hold it up to a bright light to see if there is any movement? If not, look along the cocoon and see if there is a small hole. If so, a parasitic wasp may have visited the pupa.
http://www.abundantnature.com/2012/06/inside-cecropia-moth-cocoon.html
After holding it up to light on a few different occasions I haven't seen any movement. For some reason I wouldn't think it would feel as heavy as it does if it were dead though. I don't see any small holes. I guess time will tell.
Appears to be a relative of this guy/gal.
http://hilarynelson.com/Hobbies/Bugs/HickoryHornedDevilCaterpillar
Perhaps its in here if its a stinger.
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins/caterpillar/caterpillar.htm
http://hilarynelson.com/Hobbies/Bugs/HickoryHornedDevilCaterpillar
Perhaps its in here if its a stinger.
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins/caterpillar/caterpillar.htm