help with id for some sort of cocoon

dom1978111 · #1 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 11:16 PM

hi, i recently bought a food steamer from tesco and found a cocoon of some sort in the box! It's brown and about 1inch long and stubby on one end with a pointy sting on the end, it sort of looks like a poo (soz for being crude).
I was going to throw it outside but as it is winter i doubt it would be good for it. I will post a pic once i get time to upload one but in the meanime, any advice would be apreciated as i'd really like to know whats inside, as my missus is concerned that it's something nasty although it's prob a moth.

Phoebe · #2 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 11:18 PM

Hi Dom welcome to WAB.

Where was the steamer made? It could be foreign

LOL soz

Just done some googling - could it be a kind of silkmoth cocoon, do a search and see what you think

Wild-Woman · #3 (**permalink**) 31-12-2008, 06:27 PM

This sounds interesting. I wouldn't keep it indoors as the temperature may accelerate the changes in the cocoon. A dry shed should do. Do post a shot though when you're able. We'd like a look.

naturegirl · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 08:37 PM

Sounds like a chrysalis of some type to me.

You do need to be very careful it if it has come from abroad inside packaging.

I once found a moth pest species of European orchards when it emerged from a berry used in floristry work. I also found a spider's nest within a bunch of bananas purchased in Tescos!!

Also, foreign 'anything' may be harmful on contact with human skin. Best to be safe and put into a container without touching it.

Naturegirl

dom1978111 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-2009, 04:13 AM

Hi and thanks 4 the replies, The box says made in china but who knows when it got in there! I picked it up already (thinking it was a part of the steamer) doh!!!! Starting to feel uneasy about what it is now! Our house is quite cold due to rubbish storage heaters so i dont think it will hatch or whatever!

dom1978111 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2009, 02:36 PM

Here is the photo, any ideas???

Lance Morgan · #7 (**permalink**) 02-01-2009, 02:42 PM

It is a moth pupae of some sort. Keep it and see what hatches.

dom1978111 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 06:47 AM

If i do keep it till it hatches, can anyone give me some advice on how best to make it possible...Thanks

Phoebe · #9 (**permalink**) 20-01-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom1978111

If i do keep it till it hatches, can anyone give me some advice on how best to make it possible...Thanks

Hi Dom, is there any update on the the chrysalis has it hatched yet?

dom1978111 · #10 (**permalink**) 21-01-2009, 06:10 AM

As i live in a flat, I have taken it to my mums house! She has a garden and shed so i put it in there (in the box that it came in)

She said she would look in on it from time to time but i reckon it won't hatch till it gets warmer!

I'll let you know!

Phoebe · #11 (**permalink**) 21-01-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom1978111

As i live in a flat, I have taken it to my mums house! She has a garden and shed so i put it in there (in the box that it came in)

She said she would look in on it from time to time but i reckon it won't hatch till it gets warmer!

I'll let you know!

Ok dom, thanks for that, I am eager to know what it is. I accidentally unearthed a cocoon a long time ago and I remember it being what I thought was called a 'leatherjacket' but it was a black cocoon like yours is.

Libby_N · #12 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 07:15 PM

Hi everyone! Sorry to revive old post but I was digging in my garden on Wednesday 3rd June & found what looks like & sounds like the mystery above.

It was solid black and very hard approx. 2.5" long & 0.5" diameter. It had not emerged as of yet & I replaced it (no photo) back where it came from.

Any ideas anyone??

I have looked at Leatherjacket larvae but it doesn't look like them unless they go solid- never seen real one to compare but I thought they had a leather like texture hence the name- please don't hold me to that!!!

Would love to find out what it may be.

I could maybe try & find it again to take photo- do you think that may help??