Mystery batch of eggs on white willow

Bruce Williams · #1 (**permalink**) 25-10-2008, 08:31 PM

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

There are a lot of mature white willow trees in this particular field and I was searching the bark in the hope of finding the leafhopper Idiocerus herrichi . Well I only found one leafhopper but I did find this batch of (I presume) eggs. From memory I would guess 40mm (I know I should have measured them

).

Help with identification appreciated.

Bruce

ps - Feeling nice and warm inside as just (belatedly

) noticed a very special thread in the Treehouse forum

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 25-10-2008, 08:34 PM

There from the Vapouror moth Orgyia antiqua Bruce.

Bruce Williams · #3 (**permalink**) 25-10-2008, 08:49 PM

Dan you are simply amazing!!!

Thanks.

Bruce

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 25-10-2008, 08:56 PM

They are laid on the females cocoon when she emerges then mates, you can make the coccon out in this photo.

Thankyou Bruce

Bruce Williams · #5 (**permalink**) 25-10-2008, 11:06 PM

Thanks for that info Dan - yes now you mention it I can just make out the remains of the cocoon too.

Armed with your identification I did some Googling. I read that the female is flightless and on emerging from her cocoon she gives off powerful pheromones to attract a night-flying male.

Presumably once she's laid her eggs her job is over and she dies - is that right? I'm also guessing that the female Vapouror moth doesn't feed?

Bruce

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Presumably once she's laid her eggs her job is over and she dies - is that right? I'm also guessing that the female Vapouror moth doesn't feed?

Bruce

Yes you are correct with both. She lays her eggs then dies. She lives off the fat reserves that she obtained as a larvae, so doesnt need to feed as an adult.

Bruce Williams · #7 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 08:44 PM

Thanks for your help Dan.

I gather that the eggs should hatch sometime next April or May. Hope to get some photos of the caterpillars at least.

Bruce

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 08:53 PM

Yes, depending on the temperature, if we have a warm march keep an eye on them.

Garden Carpet · #9 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 09:10 PM

Henry here on Jaki's computer. Just to point out that the measurement must be wrong. No Vapourer has ever laid 40mm eggs!

henrya

Bruce Williams · #10 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the advice Dan.

Henrya - My estimate of 40mm of course related to the approximate size of the batch not the size of an individual egg. However as I said in the original post, I'm not confident in my estimate so I'll measure the batch properly when I next take my dog for her afternoon walk

.

Bruce