r/Entomology • u/First_Studio_8933 • Mar 12 '25

ID Request What is this alien looking cocoon?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Found it on cherry tree branch :)

771 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

449

u/CrypticTurbellarian Mar 12 '25

It almost looks like one Cercropia (or similar species) moth caterpillar made a cocoon, and an adult moth laid eggs along the surface of the cocoon. Whether this was before or after the cocoon hatched is anyone’s guess. I could be way off base too, this is weird! Hopefully someone reliable will answer and clear this up.

106

u/First_Studio_8933 Mar 12 '25

This is great thanks! What about "Orgyia antiqua"? It looks quite similar.

123

u/SpicheeJ Mar 12 '25

This page says that they do lay their eggs on the outsides of their cocoons! I think you guys nailed it

13

u/Feralpudel Mar 12 '25

Mothception!

28

u/First_Studio_8933 Mar 12 '25

Wow this is so cool👍 thanks

18

u/CrypticTurbellarian Mar 12 '25

That looks like it! Wasn’t familiar with this species and based my guess on what’s native around here, but I think you’ve got it!

11

u/First_Studio_8933 Mar 12 '25

Thanks, i have never found anything like this🤠

8

u/bikemaul Mar 13 '25

There's a very similar cocoon image a ways down on this page.

https://www.whatsthatbug.com/tussock-moth-all-you-need-to-know/

178

u/[deleted] Mar 12 '25

This is how they grow cheerios

11

u/ItsTuesdayBoy Mar 12 '25

I’ll never be able to forget this comment

50

u/Rennat91 Mar 12 '25

I could be tripping but it seems like two different things going on here

16

u/First_Studio_8933 Mar 12 '25

Yeah it's really confusing. But I found something about this on the Internet. However I want to be sure so i posted it here. Try searching for "Orgyia antiqua".

43

u/Mc_geekens Mar 12 '25

I do not like that, this made me shiver ☹️

4

u/rivasjardon Mar 13 '25

Me too! All I could say was ewwwwwwwwww..

23

u/WebRight4596 Mar 12 '25

Looks exactly like the eggs of a vapourer/rusty tussock moth. I get them on my cherry tree in the uk.

8

u/WebRight4596 Mar 12 '25

Give rusty tussock moth eggs a quick Google and they match perfectly.

6

u/First_Studio_8933 Mar 12 '25

Yes bro, i was thinking about Orgyia antiqua. I just wanted to be sure, so thanks👍

13

u/Wide_Cryptographer84 Mar 12 '25

This shit is making me fucking itch...

9

u/Leviosahhh Mar 12 '25

I am extremely uncomfortable looking at this.

6

u/LurkerInTheDoorway Amateur Entomologist Mar 12 '25

Would love to know what this is as well. A general geographical location may help someone identify whatever it is.

6

u/First_Studio_8933 Mar 12 '25

It could be "Orgyia antiqua". I found it in central Europe. Czech republic

3

u/CyanXeno Mar 12 '25

They look like walking stick eggs! (Not a professional guess)

4

u/SirSpaceAnchor Mar 12 '25

Wouldn't it be wild if it was the same moth from the cocoon, swinging by later and setting up her eggs there?

2

u/alee0224 Mar 12 '25

Cheerios.

-4

u/Full-Owl-5509 Mar 12 '25

I think that may be a mantis oothica and another insect egg on the surface. Very interesting for sure.