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I often find this strange formation on the bark of trees. Today I tryed to discover what it is. Turns out it is made with feaces of a larva, glued together with a sticky silk. The larva covers itself with this "blanket" while it eats the soft tissue just bellow the tree's bark. In photo #3 it is possible to see the larva.
Spotted on Jul 15, 2014
Submitted on Jul 16, 2014
5 Comments
Hi Sergio insect feces is called Frass http://insects.about.com/od/insects101/a...
Further to this sighting I investigated a similar situation and poked around inside one on a Hakea and found a caterpillar/larvae inside. Ill upload later. I have learnt so much using Project Noah. Thanks.
Interesting information.
Tenho visto isso frequentemente em folhas de goiabeira. Onde elas constroem um abrigo igual a esse, e ainda fazem um "telhado" com outra folha. Praticamente não saem do abrigo. Pode ser uma larva de mariposa. Me pergunto do que é que ela se alimenta. Esse tipo de abrigo/casa é muito interessante, inteligente utilizar o próprio coco, que endurece e elas selam tudo com seda, ficam protegidas de aves e incomodo de vespas parasitoides.
Wow! What an interesting find Sergio!