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Project Noah Nature School
I am guessing these are caterpillar tents. There are three "lobes," each about 50 to 80 cm in length. I would have gotten closer, but the footing beneath this structure looked too risky. It has also been suggested this is really a fungus growth. The texture is smooth, almost like translucent plastic. They appear hollow. There are things inside that may be caterpillars. I've seen many caterpillar tents, but nothing of this texture and density. These pictures have been shown to some entomologists, including one person who specializes in moths. All were puzzled. I posted this on BugGuide.net (http://bugguide.net/node/view/633379) on 4/24/12 and as of this writing, it has not yet been identified.
Spotted on Apr 22, 2012
Submitted on May 7, 2012
2 Comments
This looks like intentional human design, maybe or possibly a study project or experiment of some kind. I blew the picture up quite large, the first bag seems to be attached with black velcro strapping of some sort around the vine. due to the darkness or shadow, i cannot make out the same features on the second and third.
That is unusual; when I saw the thumbnail, I thought it was a fungus. Hope you find out what it is. Unique first spotting - welcome to Project Noah!