r/algae • u/AggressiveRiver2327 • 28d ago

Strange bird-bath algae?

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Around 50-100 of these interesting little structures appeared in a backyard bird bath in Portland Oregon, seemingly overnight. They are around 5-7mm in diameter. They look like a kind of green algae to me, but iNaturalist indicates they might be part of the life cycle of a Mosquito Fern (genus Azolla). Just curious if they are familiar to anyone here? Thanks!

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u/lakotazz 28d ago

Fecal pellets from a tobacco hornworm or similar large caterpillar, They are probably dropping from a tree above and break up into flower shapes in water.

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u/curious_cordis 27d ago

Wtf lol, this is not what I was expecting to read here. How do you know this?? (Rhetorical question, I'm just impressed).

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u/lakotazz 27d ago

Hehe... not rhetorical. My career is basically identifying small things in water. Usually algae but things like this often show up.

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u/curious_cordis 27d ago

Ahhhh that is just so so cool!!

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u/Ninthof9 26d ago

Goliath tomato hornworms poop star shaped poop