Is this a wasp or bee's nest in a tree?

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 29-07-2009, 11:06 AM

Hi.

My friend sent me these pictures today, asking if I knew what this was hanging in a hedge near to her house in Dorset.

Or maybe it's caterpillars??? (she didn't give me any idea of scale.... I'll ask her)

Any ideas...???

Thanks. Jane

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 29-07-2009, 11:11 AM

Its neither its a caterpillar tent. Not sure if you can tell the species by this alone though.

Hedera · #3 (**permalink**) 29-07-2009, 11:16 AM

I had one of these in an apple tree, there were several reported round the area. We were told the caterpillars if touched would bring you out in a rash, so warn your friend! Some sort of moth.

charlieb · #4 (**permalink**) 29-07-2009, 11:29 AM

They're are a few candidates:

the Ermines, Yponomeuta sp
Small Eggar, Eriogaster lanestris
The Lackey Malacosoma neustria
Hawthorn Moth Scythropia crataegella

Should be able to ID if you can get a shot of the caterpillars.

tigger · #5 (**permalink**) 29-07-2009, 11:34 AM

Thank you... everyone.

Don't know if you noticed... I did put that I thought it could be caterpillars (as an after thought) in my original post. Wrote wasps/bees then thought caterpillars. Good to know what they could be though. Thanks...

I will let my friend know.

She will be fascinated and I know she will try to get a photo now!

J