Pest Cocoon? atop a carrot?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by Green Knees, Aug 16, 2020.

  1. Green Knees

    Green Knees Gardener

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    Hi
    Looking among my carrot plants today I came across a cocoon type of thing fixed to the top of two carrot plants. It's roughly the size & shape (flat surfaces) of a Brazil nut in its shell.

    Visually it looks like it is made from big leaves that've been formed & glued, but it looks like the carrot leaves have been utilised instead.

    Anyone any idea what is inside of it? It feels relatively heavy imho.

    IMG_20200816_200110.jpg

    IMG_20200816_200020.jpg
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      Hi Could be a catipillar or a spiders nest of eggs
       
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      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        It looks like a bagworm.

        Psyche casta - UKMoths

        I hadn't realised we had them here in Britain. My son lives in America and had a plague of them in his garden last year. A different type of moth there but the bagworms were very destructive, destroying two or three of his conifers (which is their preference) within a couple of days. Of course I'm not saying those here in Britain will do the same, it's unlikely.

        This is the type my son had. They look like pine cones so he didn't spot them until the damage was done. He removed what he could and burnt them.

        038 Bagworm.jpg
         
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        • Green Knees

          Green Knees Gardener

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          Cor blimey... grow a plant and get an education! It's like I've hung a "free eats" sign out as everything wants to eat what I'm growing!!! ;-)

          Sheal, I'm not convinced it is a bagworm moth as this thing is incorporated into the carrot stems, not hung from them.

          My best
           
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          • CarolineL

            CarolineL Total Gardener

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            @Green Knees - why not open it up and inspect the contents? It's a pest if it's on carrots, so you need to know...
             
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            • Sheal

              Sheal Total Gardener

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              That's okay, I thought that forewarned is forearmed. :biggrin:

              Good idea. :)
               
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              • Green Knees

                Green Knees Gardener

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                You know Caroline, the older I get the more "live and let live" I become. I think the ethos is Buddhism? were one doesn't kill anything, hence why would I destroy a creatures bedroom when it's getting changed?

                If I remember my school biology right, this is probably a caterpillar who's now about to grow some wings whence it will emerge and go and be someone elses problem?

                P. S. I've just gathered all my caterpillars in a tub with some leaves (it took a while) and I released them on some wasteground on the most diverse plants & brambles there. My thinking was they might find something they'd live on.
                 
              • Green Knees

                Green Knees Gardener

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                Found a second. To look at they are like an "inflated bag" sort of thing.
                All joking aside, I'd be surprised if this was a caterpillar chrysalis as none of my carrot foliage was ate

                IMG_20200818_083525.jpg
                 
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                  Last edited: Aug 18, 2020
                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  The problem is that it may be a new invader to this country that could cause real problems if it spread. :noidea:
                   
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                  • Green Knees

                    Green Knees Gardener

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                    Hi, i'm not sure why I gave you a "funny"? Probably a case of wide fingers pressing small icons, so have a "useful" instead. ;-)

                    From my searching online, Tussock Moth caterpillars form similar-looking cocoons.

                    [​IMG]

                    P.S. ... and something was eating the carrot foliage.

                    Later edit:
                    And here's the cause :smile::

                    IMG_20200831_105928.jpg

                    About 6 days ago I cut into all 3 cocoons and gathered the 2 chrysalis in a little tub with tissue around them, one cocoon was empty. I thought they were dead as they'd taken on an almost black colour, but I put them under cover in a propagating tent in the yard.

                    Well everytime I went in the yard i checked on them and then I got worried they'd hatch and maybe get trapped, and as the night's have got the first nip of winter, I brought them on the kitchen windowsill to give them a better chance.
                    Making a brew an hour ago and I thought "what the beep is that?" It looked like a black leaf on the side of the tub.
                    I think it hatched dark and has 'dried out' into it's light camouflage colours. It's now among the daisys on the wall in the sun. When No1 flies I'll bring No2 back in.
                    Feel like a proud dad to be honest! :blue thumb:

                    I'm now pretty sure it's one of the tussock moths... or if could be a tortix? :scratch:
                     
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                      Last edited: Aug 31, 2020
                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                      [​IMG]

                      :lunapic 130165696578242 5::lunapic 130165696578242 5::lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                       
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                      • Green Knees

                        Green Knees Gardener

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                        Imagine that as an adult flying amongst your begonias! :biggrin:
                         
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