What is it?

[smack1019]

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ttsOaSNNdeAgL9xB217pd11BawuV0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ttsOaSNNdeAgL9xB217pd11BawuV0)

Anyone know what these might be. I discovered this cocoon(?) yesterday. My father inlaw doesn't know what it it is but he says I should burn it. I don't want to kill them if they are going to turn into something harmless. My best guess is that they will be some sort of moth. I've never seen anything like this before. I've looked all over the internet and have found similar cocoons but not exactly this type. I want to be sure what it is before I do anything.
Any help is appreciated.
Steve

[efarnstrom]

Maybe an Eastern tent catepillar?

[frank abramonte]

Correct, catepillar nests.

Years ago the pretty much devastated trees in New England.

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/problems/etentcat.htm

[smack1019]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I was thinking tent catipillar as well after doing some more web research, but it is nice to be confirmed. All the pictures I saw of the tent catipillar had brown nests but i think those were in Texas. Thanks Frank for the article link. It really helped. I'll probably leave them alone because they are more in the woods on my property than in my yard. Thanks again.

[kevq]

Smack,
as a Brit I had no idea what it was but it is an intriguing photo.
Kev.

[Tina_B]

They look like the tent catipilars that we have in WI. If that is what they are they will strip all the leaves off your trees where the nests are. We usually cut off the nest and burn it. Nasty little creatures. But be sure of what you have before you destroy it. Ask your local department of agriculture to identify the for you.
Tina B

[TonyW]

Definitely tent caterpillars. Lots up here and I have a picture somewhere if I can find it - it seems to be a good year for them. Spotted half-a-dozen in the backyard last weekend - I usually let them be or cut off the branch and burn it. They don't look great and they eat leaves like crazy but the leaves grow back :)

You can see a picture of the moth they turn into here:

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef423.asp

Tony

PS Found the pic - taken 6 years ago with my first digital camera - a 2MP Olympus.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1K0S0lcq1hurtl7LykcCHx0cWMeOf_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1K0S0lcq1hurtl7LykcCHx0cWMeOf)

Tony

[vawitt]

Ick....here's my fave line from the web link you posted, Tony...

"They are a nuisance and can create a mess when they are squashed on driveways, sidewalks, and patios"

Just the picture I want in my mind as I wander off to breakfast...:p:D

~Val in tent-cat-free IL

[JulieM]

A number of years ago, I rented a house in Northern Virginia where there was a serious problem with gypsy moths. My 3 roommates and I were required by our landlord to handpick the caterpillars off the trees on the property - with tweezers! How's that for appetizing, Val? :D

[lisabee]

:D I thought this thread was going to be a puzzle, not something to put you off your food :eek::D

Lisa