# Need help with bug ID (sorry, no photo!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154 "2018-01-21T22:48:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/1 "2018-01-21T22:48:59Z")
So my wife and I were discussing caterpillars. I mentioned the venomous ones and the hard, dry ones you find on trees and fences. She told me she thought those were Scales. We googled images for a while but could never find a pic of what we were describing. Basically they look sort of like [this one](https://conservativetribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/caterpillar.jpg) except they appear to have been carved from wood. They don’t move (that I know about) and are usually greyish brown. I saw them growing up in Texas, she in California. Anyone? And unrelated, but just for gins, [check out this crazy thing](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1e/db/8d/1edb8d0a81d6bd7b1dff10d27a4eabbf.jpg)! ---
**Author:** ![Sveltington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@Sveltington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sveltington)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/2 "2018-01-21T23:00:17Z")
I do not have an answer to your question. But PLEASE tell me the bottom pic was a sculpture NOT A REAL BUG:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/3 "2018-01-22T00:37:30Z")
My guess is that what you are describing are actually the pupae, or perhaps rather cocoons, of some insect species. Spider egg sacks are, of course, immobile too; but they tend to have a more spherical shape. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/4 "2018-01-22T00:44:26Z")
> [@Ignotus](#): > > My guess is that what you are describing are actually the pupae, or perhaps rather cocoons, of some insect species. Spider egg sacks are, of course, immobile too; but they tend to have a more spherical shape. I have no expertise, but I have lived in N Tx. And I agree with Ignotus, it sounds like a molted skin or cocoon. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/5 "2018-01-22T02:20:26Z")
No real idea what the heck you mean, but to fit the description somewhat, it would be a chrysalis, not a cocoon. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/6 "2018-01-22T02:49:02Z")
I think the crazy thing you linked to at the end is a member of the Mandelbrug set. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/7 "2018-01-22T03:48:26Z")
[Cicada moult?](https://i1.treknature.com/photos/2183/290806-50.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/8 "2018-01-22T04:23:47Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > [Cicada moult?](https://i1.treknature.com/photos/2183/290806-50.jpg) IDK if that’s what the OP is looking for. But I can say they are allover the place in Arkansas, at certain times. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/9 "2018-01-22T04:31:51Z")
> [@Sveltington](#): > > I do not have an answer to your question. > But PLEASE tell me the bottom pic was a sculpture NOT A REAL BUG:eek: Nope. Real bug. It’s the caterpillar of the Brahmin Moth. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/10 "2018-01-22T05:43:56Z")
> [@Ignotus](#): > > My guess is that what you are describing are actually the pupae, or perhaps rather cocoons, of some insect species. Spider egg sacks are, of course, immobile too; but they tend to have a more spherical shape. You are probably right but I couldn’t find a pic online. However they are more caterpillar shape than globular. But they are not rare. As Beckdawrek mentioned sometimes they are everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/11 "2018-01-22T05:52:43Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Nope. Real bug. It’s the caterpillar of the Brahmin Moth. Like [one of these](https://78.media.tumblr.com/25ae06ca14a45a9631d2411e2242b60a/tumblr_mhcybqN1eQ1rrmm4jo1_500.jpg)? That turns into one of [these beautiful things](http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/caterpillar-moth-butterfly-before-after-metamorphosis-1-2.jpg)? Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/12 "2018-01-22T06:00:01Z")
I think I found it! Someone else had this same question: [http://www.collagemama.com/2011/03/mystery-chrysalis.html?m=1](http://www.collagemama.com/2011/03/mystery-chrysalis.html?m=1) It is an Ootheca. It led me to this pic: [http://www.nimblemill.com/itsnotworkitsgardening/April%202010/IMG\_1898.jpg](http://www.nimblemill.com/itsnotworkitsgardening/April%202010/IMG_1898.jpg) Praying Mantis egg case. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/13 "2018-01-22T09:07:12Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Nope. Real bug. It’s the caterpillar of the Brahmin Moth. [Face-on](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fe/8b/9a/fe8b9ae4f3eff5227128a0cf394cde5f.jpg), possibly the most Punishing caterpillar! ---
**Author:** ![Sveltington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@Sveltington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sveltington)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/14 "2018-01-22T09:32:24Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Nope. Real bug. It’s the caterpillar of the Brahmin Moth. Such a beautiful moth. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/15 "2018-01-22T11:30:39Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I think I found it! Someone else had this same question: > [http://www.collagemama.com/2011/03/mystery-chrysalis.html?m=1](http://www.collagemama.com/2011/03/mystery-chrysalis.html?m=1) > > It is an Ootheca. It led me to this pic: > [http://www.nimblemill.com/itsnotworkitsgardening/April%202010/IMG\_1898.jpg](http://www.nimblemill.com/itsnotworkitsgardening/April%202010/IMG_1898.jpg) > > Praying Mantis egg case. Wow, I’ve collected and hatched a lot if praying mantis egg cases, but never would have got that from your description. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/16 "2018-01-22T14:08:10Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Wow, I’ve collected and hatched a lot if praying mantis egg cases, but never would have got that from your description. Hold over from childhood. Where I grew up there were venomous flannel moth larvae that we learned to avoid. One of my childhood friends told me that praying mantis egg case was a dead one. I took their word for it and never gave it another thought. So while they are two completely things, in appearance they can look quite similar. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/17 "2018-01-22T14:52:54Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Hold over from childhood. Where I grew up there were venomous flannel moth larvae that we learned to avoid. One of my childhood friends told me that praying mantis egg case was a dead one. I took their word for it and never gave it another thought. So while they are two completely things, in appearance they can look quite similar. Childhood praying mantis story–once in primary school I took a praying mantis egg case for show and tell. Afterwards I left it lying on the “back dash” (whatever you used to call those deep, shelf-like areas behind the back seat/under the rear window of cars) of my grandmother’s car. The greenhouse warming in the car caused the eggs to hatch prematurely, leaving the back of the car crawling with tiny praying mantii that I had to try to carefully remove from the car. They were my favorite insect as a child and I still don’t resist playing with them for a while whenever I find one. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/18 "2018-01-22T14:59:07Z")
Looking at your example photo, I can see how you can think that it looks somewhat like a caterpillar. The egg cases that I’m familiar with aren’t long things deposited on a flat surface, but roundish things deposited on a twig, [like this](https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/praying-mantis-egg-sac-info.htm) (which look nothing like a caterpillar.) BTW, [you can buy them on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Mantis-Case-Hatching-Habitat/dp/B01B39R9LE). ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/19 "2018-01-22T15:24:57Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > BTW, [you can buy them on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Mantis-Case-Hatching-Habitat/dp/B01B39R9LE). Which raises the question, are they collected or is there a praying mantis farm somewhere? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-bug-id-sorry-no-photo/807154/20 "2018-01-22T15:34:36Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Which raises the question, are they collected or is there a praying mantis farm somewhere? > 🙂 There is a(t least one) place [_called_ Praying Mantis Farm](https://www.localharvest.org/praying-mantis-farm-M40807), but they don’t appear to farm Praying Mantii. One of the Amazon sellers [seems to wild-collect them](http://www.schoonerberries.com/praying-mantis-egg-cases). I’ve never bought praying mantis eggcases online but I did buy a big bag o’ bug-ladies–uh, ladybugs once. Not sure if you can see my Photobucket photos since they’ve gone with their Insane Pricing Scheme, but if you can, on page 4 [here](http://s313.photobucket.com/user/darrengarrison/library/nature?sort=3&start=all&page=4) you’ll see some of those ladybugs going after aphids on roses.