Ok all you really smart bug folks; I know that this thing is alive in some way- it has moved at least 2 x in the past 4 or so days. Is this some sort of irradiated crazed bug? Is this a crysallis (sp)? What is it now and what it it going to be? Shall I follow the advice given by the Sheriff in the Bob Marley song?
Another shot
Sure looks like a chrysallis to me...maybe of some kind of moth. But you were asking for the bug experts. I'm not one of those.
I think it is a cocoon and what is inside of it has not come out yet. I don't think it is anything bad, but I cannot remember what it is. I used to see these all the time as a kid and would play with them. I am sorry, I just can't remember.
No I found out what it was- I know that it moved and that is not chrysallis or cocoon like behavior; a nice person from FL on the Garden Pest forum told me- and then I recalled seeing much smaller ones years ago- they are bag worms. Inside that "bag" is the worm and it holds onto the plant and eats the plant w/ it's mouth that is at the opening of the bag. I got rid of it!
Oh, gross! Hope you washed your hands.
lol aprilwillis,
I was going to say...that odd looking thing was holdin' a worm. But someone beat me to it...lol...Pretty interesting little critter to me...it can carry its home wherever it goes...and keep adding to its decor....lol
Oh please, I never touched it! Haven't I told you how to get rid of nasty bugs? You take your cutters/clippers and cut off the leaf that it's on/attached to so that it falls into a plastic bag; once it's in the bag you tie the bag closed and put it in your outside garbage can and under penalty of death DO NOT OPEN THE GARBAGE CAN UNTIL AFTER THE TRASHMEN HAVE EMPTIED IT INTO THEIR GREAT BIG TRUCK! Then you wash your hands really well.
Yeah it's pretty amazing but I'd prefer that it was amazing in another state if you know what I mean. LOL
looks like a small mutated bat don't it?
I agree with the bat idea. lol Pretty ugly whatever it is.
April, post it on the Gardening for Butterflies and Hummers forum and someone will surely know.
Not necessary it really is a bag worm and yes it does look like a mutated bat. As I stared at it I thought that for one fleeting moment.
Look what I found on my bald cypress! Not a great shot, so hold on, more photos coming!
This is my poor attempt to show size of the bugger- that's it on the ground next to one of my little diggers, it's about 2" from top to bottom! YIKES it was ugly. (Note the word WAS, cause it's not no more).
I have never seen one of those in my entire life--sure hope they don't start emerging from the gumbo soil like the cicadas do up north once every 20 years (or however long it is). Scary stuff, might happen though since we haven't had a wet summer like this in a while.
Until a couple of years ago I hadn't either. The 1st ones I saw were VERY small so these big ones are just GROSS! From some other folks that posted on Garden Pest forum they seem to like evergreens- yeah but who doesn't.? Anyway they make these strange sack things that are decorated w/ whatever they come across. The bag is bigger than the worm and they really are pretty easy to kill, a little Ivory and water sprayed on them and they are history.
Here is a like about bagworms. http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/trees/ef440.htm
When we were kids Momma would pull them off of the trees and put them in the burn barrel and set them on fire. That was the only way she new they wouldn't bother anyone again. Still remember it and have been known to do it when I had a bunch.
Kim
Scoolie my most recent bagworm looked just like the photo! and that was a lot more than I ever wanted to know about those creepy critters- but trust me I will be looking for the little beggers this fall. Thanks for the good info.
Kim you mother was an intelligent and caring person! Burn baby burn!
My grandmother would carry a pan of boiling water with her into the garden. A nasty creature like a bagworm was dropped into a very hot bath. Yuk! But it took care of the problem without insecticides.
Well I guess that would work, if you were graceful. With my level of grace I'd be on my way to the ER w/ 3rd degree burns all over my legs! LOL. Your grandmother must have been graceful.
I would be afraid of the water thing too, that's why I don't do it on fire ants, just seems so dangerous. We had bagworms in Illinois really bad some years. That's it, no story, just thought I'd throw it in.
hmm well thanks for sharing fly but you have to admit the stories were more interesting. LOL Kidding.
Where in IL are you from? Did I ask that before? My "D"H is from Alton- near St. Louis for those unfamilliar w/ that part of the country and I have a great uncle lving in Chicago- nice place if you like wind.
No, don't like wind, that's why I try to watch what I eat.
I'm from Jacksonville, near Springfield. My parents and brother still live there.
Fly you are a hoot!
I was in Springfield once, I went to Abraham Lincoln's house- we had lunch- I believe it was tea and finger sandwiches.
Do they come visit you? Do they want to move here?
That's cool, his house!
Did you know that someone stole his body from the cemetary? This was a long time ago, before he was put in some protected crypt. They wanted a ransom. Isn't that sick?
I don't remember how they got him back. Wouldn't it be hard to hide a huge coffin? It couldn't pass for a coffee table. He was really tall.
They don't want to move here. I would like to move back, but dh has a job here, so not now.
Will you take me w/ you when you go? I will probably get death threats, but I don't like it here- refrained from using a more strong word.
Well all the coffins I have stolen I used as plant shelves. Any body else?
HaHaHa
Sure, you can come with me, but let me warn you....the winters are brutal!
You don't like it in Missouri?
Oh I know all about brutal winters! Lived outside of Toronto- Fly that's in Canada, lived outside of Boston, lived outside of New York City, lived outside of Kansas City - Fly that's in Kansas- so you don't scare me w/ that kind of talk!
I don't say this too loud because people are VERY defensive about this, but I don't like it Missouri (wink, wink) not one little bit- too hot, too humid, too buggy, too humid and oh, did I mention, TOOOO HOT!!!!
when I lived in arkansas we would occaisionally get infestations of these things (mostly on ornamental evergreens) seems like bt kills em
So are you really ted nugent? LOL
