Is There an Entomologist In The House?

[Carbo]

The old fence in the backyard appears to have some damage: http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/Carbo2/Fence/
So, for those of you in the know, is that termite damage? Carpenter ants? And what are those things hanging off the fence? There's loads of 'em.

 

[dud]

That's not termites as they usually damage wood from within. That's exterior damage perhaps caused by weathering. It looks like it happened some time ago. Those things hanging from the fence look like some sort of insect cocoons.

 

[lxskllr]

That looks like good old fashioned rot. The cocoons look like the same kind of worm that prefers evergreen trees around here. I pull them off when I see them, but they don't appear to do much damage, at least in the quantity I have.

 

[RESmonkey]

Nature makes some weird shit.

 

[Carbo]

That fence is probably 20 years old, so it may very well just be weathered and rotten wood. And there is no sign of any insect activity, either. But those cases or cocoons or whatever the hell they are sure have me intrigued.

 

[Baked]

I can't believe nobody said "nuke that shit from orbit" yet.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Baked
I can't believe nobody said "nuke that shit from orbit" yet.

It's the only way to be sure

 

[Jeff7]

I recognize those things - I saw something similar back home. It's a kind of caterpillar which covers itself in plant debris so it looks less like a plump, tasty meal for a bird.

The name isn't coming to mind right now unfortunately; dammit, my parents have an Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects at their place, and I almost know the page that the picture is on, but I just can't remember the name of it.


Ah, found it by Google: Bagworms.

 

[silverpig]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Your fence gots teh herp!

Wrap that shit up next time 🙂

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
I recognize those things - I saw something similar back home. It's a kind of caterpillar which covers itself in plant debris so it looks less like a plump, tasty meal for a bird.

The name isn't coming to mind right now unfortunately; dammit, my parents have an Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects at their place, and I almost know the page that the picture is on, but I just can't remember the name of it.


Ah, found it by Google: Bagworms.

Ah ha! Bagworms it is! Thanks for the info.