What is this? Looks like empty cocoon and eggs

[nutmeg]

I was examining my weeping silver birch this afternoon when I spotted an old leaf, with what looks like an empty cocoon on it. The 'cocoon' is covered in what look like small eggs.

Position on twigs:


Closer view of the 'eggs':


Closer view of open end of the 'cocoon':


I'm not sure what I've got here - so any help is appreciated

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

its a moth cocoon with eggs. Some moths have flightless females and when they hatch from the cocoon they attract a male to them, mate and then lay the eggs on the cocoon itself. I'm not sure what species it is though.

neil

[Bruce Williams]

Interesting post Neil and nice clear pics too - something else for me to look out for .

Bruce

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the suggestion, Neil. I considered a moth, but hadn't considered the moth to be the origin of the eggs

Now I wonder which moth it could be

[badgerwatcher]

Really interesting Nutmeg. I've never seen anything like that.

[nutmeg]

I've had a bit of a search for information on flightless female moths - and one that cropped up was the Vapourer, Orgyia antiqua . Last year I found Vapourer caterpillars on the same tree, so could this be a possibility (or just a coincidence)?

[dmclean2]

Hi Nutmeg,
Well spotted and vey good pics
I think you are right with the Vapourer -Orgyia antiqua , Iv'e looked in my books and the egg clusters are indeed the same , the hairy caterpiller is dark grey with red spots and four clumps of yellow hairs along it's back, the female is also grey and is wingless.
Duncan.

[Dogghound]

Its the cocoon of the vapourer moth Orgyia antiqua, The female hatches out attracts a male then lays her eggs on her cocoon.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the confirmation - and also thanks again to Neil for pointing me in the right direction