Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Cocoon

Still visible on some bare trees out there, these hanging gardens are the cocoons of a bagworm moth in the family Psychidae.
There’s a caterpillar in here who made this hanging tent of leaves last year so it could overwinter. There are some 1300-plus known members of the Psychidae world-wide. The better known in our region use conifers, but some will use deciduous trees, gathering material from the tree to make the shaggy cocoon.

I had at first thought these some new to me form of gall, but bugguide.net set me right.

mthew

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6 responses to “Cocoon”

  1. Out Walking the Dog

    What a fantastic structure. Thanks for the tip on the identity of the architect. I will look for these.

    Reply
  2. McMackin, Rebecca (BBP)

    Where are these?!?!?! We must destroy them!!!!

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Spoken like a true horticulturalist! Between Piers 1 and 2, in the trees arching around the tiny lawn.

      Reply
  3. Anita Sexton

    I live in Sapulpa Oklahoma and just happened to find one of these strange creatures stuck to the arm of one of my lawn chairs. According to what we have read, it is possibly a new species. I am an avid nature person and have never seen one like this before.We took pictures and a video of it. Is there any place I could take it maybe for research??? And of course they should most likely multiple and was wondering if they could be harmful to my trees. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      bugguide.net and inaturalist may be able to help identify. Also, check with OSU and the U of O for their entomology departments. the state extension service http://www.oces.okstate.edu may be helpful

      Reply
  4. Anita Sexton

    Thank you for pointing me in the local direction. I just can’t believe if they are not a new find, that I have never seen one of these little creatures before.

    Reply

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