Question:
I live in Champaign, IL where I attend school at the University of
Illinois. On my way home from class, I spotted what looked like a pine
cone crawling along the ground. Upon further examination, I found that
it was some sort of caterpiller in an incomplete cocoon which had bits of
evergreen imbedded in the sides for camoflage. I then realized that it
was making its way to an evergreen bush, within which I saw a number of
already attached cocoons. What species are these? Is it a moth or
butterfly? To be honest, I am a student of finance, but am facinated by
nature.
Replies:
Jeremy,
It sounds to me like a bagworm. You should be able to find a good
entomology text at your local or college library to confirm this
identification.
It seems the appearance of the bagworm was successful in fooling you into
thinking it was a cone. I have see trees literally covered with them
shortly preceding their (the tree's) demise. I am sure if the tree owners
knew they could simply pick the insect from the tree and cause a population
crash for the insect, far fewer trees would be lost.
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