Very large grey cocoon or bag hanging in my silver maple tree - Ask Extension
Three days ago, when I first saw this large grey blob hanging in my maple tree I thought it might be a sleeping squirrel but it did not weigh enough. ...
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Very large grey cocoon or bag hanging in my silver maple tree #847155
Asked August 24, 2023, 2:52 PM EDT
Three days ago, when I first saw this large grey blob hanging in my maple tree I thought it might be a sleeping squirrel but it did not weigh enough. It is at the end of a bough and hidden by leaves. It is maybe 6 inches by 6 inches slightly longer than spherical. it is not heavy enough to make the bough dip down. Today there looks like there might be inch long black worms on the outside of the blob. In any event there are black spots in the blob that were not there before. There are no bees or other flying insects entering and leaving the blob. I tried taking a picture, but do not have a good enough camera. Do you have any idea what it might be?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
What you have described could be a web-like domicile constructed by fall webworms. The black spots might be frass (excrement) deposited by the worms.
Go here to learn about fall webworms and see what their webs look like:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fall-webworm-trees
https://images.app.goo.gl/Va1edpzsA7K2q8ZCA
Go here to learn about fall webworms and see what their webs look like:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fall-webworm-trees
https://images.app.goo.gl/Va1edpzsA7K2q8ZCA
The pictures online don’t look like my blob, which is much more solid. It has none of the ethereal webbing. It is growing. Attached is the best photo I have, in case that helps. Thank you for helping me figure this out.
Gretchen Steadry
Sent from my iPad
Gretchen Steadry
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 24, 2023, at 2:15 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The "blob" appears to be a hornet's nest most likely built by bald-faced hornets.
The hornets don't damage or harm anything of importance to people, but they are aggressive when disturbed and can deliver painful stings.
Learn more here:
https://extension.psu.edu/baldfaced-hornet
https://images.app.goo.gl/8ZcGQAj5YCbTaG767
The hornets don't damage or harm anything of importance to people, but they are aggressive when disturbed and can deliver painful stings.
Learn more here:
https://extension.psu.edu/baldfaced-hornet
https://images.app.goo.gl/8ZcGQAj5YCbTaG767
Thank you so much for getting back to me.
Gretchen Steadry
On Aug 24, 2023, at 4:06 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
