Insects in a mud home with 2 caterpillars, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.
I find these “gems” in a 1/2 inch wide mud “home” that is attached to a tent that is left outside to dry. The caterpillars are still alive but can’t move very well. I assume that they are stund by a wasp like creature to be food for the small green larva (in the center of the picture). The mud structure looks like a vase. It’s pretty amazing! The small black piles are probably fras(insect waste) from the caterpillars. When I broke this “vase” open I had no idea that I would find this!
Here what the opening of the mud structure looks like. The bottom and right side are broken from me removing the structure from the tent. It reminds me of potter shards that would be found at an archaeological dig.
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I found a similar “cocoon” in my Columbus, Ohio patio umbrella. Tried to move the cocoon so it wouldn’t go into winter storage. Thought the cocoon would be silky. Was surprised when the peanut-shaped clay structure fell to the brick patio and busted like a miniature clay pot. Out popped two larvae that looked like Japanese beetle pupae, but smaller.
Do you what exact insect does that?
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