Which little beastie laid these?

[clicka15]

Hi again,

These eggs were on the underside of an oak leaf - a Turkey Oak if I remember correctly. They look like they've mostly hatched, whatever they are. I don't think they're moth eggs. Perhaps a bug of some sort...? Waddya think?





Thanks,
Steve.

[Dogghound]

Possibly the eggs of the Forest Bug, Pentatoma rufipes which is rather fond of Oak.

[Harry Eales]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Possibly the eggs of the Forest Bug, Pentatoma rufipes which is rather fond of Oak.

Sorry Dogghound,

I have to disagree, I think they are moth ova, and unfortunately there are several scores of moths that feed on Oak.

Shieldbugs tend to lay their ova in two parallel lines and seldom lay more than 13-15 ova at a time. The shape is also wrong for Shieldbugs, who lay barrel shaped ova.

Oak provides food for more insect species than any other tree or plant.

Harry

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Harry Eales

Sorry Dogghound,

I have to disagree, I think they are moth ova, and unfortunately there are several scores of moths that feed on Oak.

Shieldbugs tend to lay their ova in two parallel lines and seldom lay more than 13-15 ova at a time. The shape is also wrong for Shieldbugs, who lay barrel shaped ova.

Oak provides food for more insect species than any other tree or plant.

Harry

you sure?

Most shieldbug species i know of including perhaps the most common species Palomena prasina lay eggs exactly the same in a cluster like that, not two lines and most species lay more than 13-15 ova at a time.

Also unlike bug nymphs, Caterpillars generally eat there ova after hatching, these are still there.