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Andrew · Monday 26th June 2006, 09:32

Hi all,

Whilst ambling about Witheridge Moor (culm grassland) near Tiverton (Devon) I spotted this coccoon/pupa on a grass type stem.

Any ideas what it could be?

Cheers,
Andrew.

Brian Stone · Monday 26th June 2006, 09:59

Is it The Drinker Euthrix potatoria?
http://www.btinternet.com/~ukleps/Pregeo/1640s.jpg

tom tams · Monday 26th June 2006, 10:06

Or one of the Burnet Moths ?

Brian Stone · Monday 26th June 2006, 10:24

I thought of those too but this struck me more like the Drinker.

sphinx · Monday 26th June 2006, 10:31

Looks like a five-spot Burnet.
Are'nt those a couple of ovae attached to the base of the cocoon?

tom tams · Monday 26th June 2006, 10:34

Hi Brian,

Your probably right on this one, having looked at UK Moths the Burnet moth coccoons seem more tapered to the stems

Tom

Andrew · Monday 26th June 2006, 14:50

If it helps then this one was about 50mm to 60mm long.

Andrew · Monday 26th June 2006, 14:51

Yes, there were two ovae (Butterfly eggs?) attached to the base of this coccoon.

I was impressed by that.

sphinx · Monday 26th June 2006, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Yes, there were two ovae (Butterfly eggs?) attached to the base of this coccoon.

I was impressed by that.

Most likely drinker then, Burnet cocoon is about 25mm and it does taper at both ends.
Ovae looking things could also be parasites.
Did you keep them to see if they might hatch?
I have seen Burnet moths mate with males on the cocoon. Possible the female Drinker laid eggs shortly after copulation.
Nice example Andrew.

harry eales · Monday 26th June 2006, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphinx

Most likely drinker then, Burnet cocoon is about 25mm and it does taper at both ends.
Ovae looking things could also be parasites.
Did you keep them to see if they might hatch?
I have seen Burnet moths mate with males on the cocoon. Possible the female Drinker laid eggs shortly after copulation.
Nice example Andrew.

I would say without doubt it is a Drinker Moth. It's too big for any other species that would pupate on a Grass or Rush stem. The two ova on the lower part of the case also look like drinker ova as well.

What was the larva also visible in the photograph?

Harry

Andrew · Monday 26th June 2006, 17:27

Drinker it is then. Thanks everyone.

I was tempted to cut the stem and take the whole lot home to see it hatch but I decided not to interfere with nature in the end.

Harry, where is this larva you mention. I can not see one.

harry eales · Monday 26th June 2006, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Drinker it is then. Thanks everyone.

I was tempted to cut the stem and take the whole lot home to see it hatch but I decided not to interfere with nature in the end.

Harry, where is this larva you mention. I can not see one.

Hello Andrew,

My error, its part of a grass seedhead. I downloaded your picture and lightened it to reveal all. Looking at the picture of BF it does look like there is a larva immediately above the top of the cocoon.

Harry

Andrew · Monday 26th June 2006, 17:56

Ha ha. I started looking for microscopic larva and suspected you were referring to the tiny white spots below the coccoon.

I thought "Blimey, who's gonna ID those!!"

Monday 26th June 2006, 09:32	#1
Andrew wibble wibble Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Devon. UK. Posts: 11,364	Coccoon or Pupa for ID. Hi all, Whilst ambling about Witheridge Moor (culm grassland) near Tiverton (Devon) I spotted this coccoon/pupa on a grass type stem. Any ideas what it could be? Cheers, Andrew. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Are you listening to the voice that talks in your head while you read this?

Monday 26th June 2006, 09:59	#2
Brian Stone A Stone chatting Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Peterborough, UK Posts: 5,878	Is it The Drinker Euthrix potatoria? http://www.btinternet.com/~ukleps/Pregeo/1640s.jpg __________________ Brian http://thenaturalstone.blogspot.com Follow @brianhstone
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Monday 26th June 2006, 10:24	#4
Brian Stone A Stone chatting Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Peterborough, UK Posts: 5,878	I thought of those too but this struck me more like the Drinker.
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Monday 26th June 2006, 14:50	#7
Andrew wibble wibble Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Devon. UK. Posts: 11,364	If it helps then this one was about 50mm to 60mm long. __________________ Are you listening to the voice that talks in your head while you read this?

Monday 26th June 2006, 14:51	#8
Andrew wibble wibble Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Devon. UK. Posts: 11,364	Yes, there were two ovae (Butterfly eggs?) attached to the base of this coccoon. I was impressed by that. __________________ Are you listening to the voice that talks in your head while you read this?

Monday 26th June 2006, 10:06	#3
tom tams Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 326	Or one of the Burnet Moths ?

Monday 26th June 2006, 10:31	#5
sphinx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire Posts: 180	Looks like a five-spot Burnet. Are'nt those a couple of ovae attached to the base of the cocoon?

Monday 26th June 2006, 10:34	#6
tom tams Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 326	Hi Brian, Your probably right on this one, having looked at UK Moths the Burnet moth coccoons seem more tapered to the stems Tom

Monday 26th June 2006, 17:27	#11
Andrew wibble wibble Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Devon. UK. Posts: 11,364	Drinker it is then. Thanks everyone. I was tempted to cut the stem and take the whole lot home to see it hatch but I decided not to interfere with nature in the end. Harry, where is this larva you mention. I can not see one. __________________ Are you listening to the voice that talks in your head while you read this?

Monday 26th June 2006, 17:56	#13
Andrew wibble wibble Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Devon. UK. Posts: 11,364	Ha ha. I started looking for microscopic larva and suspected you were referring to the tiny white spots below the coccoon. I thought "Blimey, who's gonna ID those!!" __________________ Are you listening to the voice that talks in your head while you read this?

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