When I took these photographs I thought these were dried leaves in an arty configuration. On closer inspection at home, I think there may be more to it as they are too precisely shaped.
Here’s a slightly closer view. It was quite breezy that day which may be why I didn’t get a closeup shot
I’m hoping to return to this spot soon, and to remember to look. If I do and they are there I’ll follow up.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 3, 2012
Most interesting, but I have no idea.
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I probably should have suggested cocoon rather than nest, maybe I will get to find out.
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I can’t tell for sure what that is, but it reminds me of a cocoon that I once photographed that I think belonged to a species of bagworm. You can check out the photos in this posting from 2012 (https://michaelqpowell.com/2012/08/01/creature-on-a-lavender-plant/) and see if you think that it may be the same kind of thing. FYI, the photos give you a glimpse of the creature that may be inside. 🙂
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Wow, yes that sure looks the same, Mike, and cocoon is a more likely choice. Googling “bagworm” I see lots of similar looking structures. Per Wikipedia “The bagworm family is fairly small, with about 1,350 species described” so bagworm may be all we ever know about it!
That was something for you to happen upon that clawed caterpillar sticking his head out. Maybe I don’t want to know more about the contents… 😮
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As I noted in that post, it is the kind of subject that makes for a good horror movie! Yikes!
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Those are super photos Mike! In NZ I’ve always heard them called case moths which seems to be another name for bagworms. As part of my search I found a NZ article that you/Ellen might find interesting so I’ll leave the link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/features/114460585/just-the-one-name-bags-not
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Thanks for the research, Liz. I have always been fascinated by creatures that undergo a complete metamorphosis and turn into something completely different, like butterflies and dragonflies and moths.
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Very interesting, Liz, thanks for sharing. Case moth makes a whole lot more sense especially after you figure out what they are doing.
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I think something is developing in there. It would be interesting to find out what…
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I think you are right, Belinda, on both counts!
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Looking at it full-blown is quite interesting. I hope you find out and let us know!
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It’s incredibly intricate, and I can imagine seeing it get made would be quite something.
I think Mike Powell is on the right track with his comment about it being a bagworm. which I’ve found out covers a lot of territory with over 1300 species. Who knows, I might be there when the creature ventures out.
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