Off topic. With trepidation. But they will fly, eventually.

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Margaret,

 

I'm pretty confident that these are two entirely separate species of insects. I'm pretty confident that the case made from twigs has nothing to do with the caterpillars (or indeed maggots if they are fly larvae or grubs if they are beetle larvae) in the other photo. These twig cases are quite common. Yes you are correct, moths or butterflies do not have chewing mouthparts but their larvae (caterpillars) do.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Margaret Leggoe [
Sent: Tuesday, 14 December 2010 6:05 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Off topic. With trepidation. But they will fly, eventually.

On Mt Wanniassa this morning I was intrigued by this cute little wattle and daub cottage hanging vertically from a very chewed old leaf.  I “borrowed” it to get a really close photograph, and then noticed these small but hungry caterpillars on an adjacent leaf.  Could it be the caterpillars hatched from eggs within the “cottage”?  And if so, what moth or butterfly would have jaws strong enough to chew through those twigs to construct the little house?  I am completely unaware of moths or butterflies with chewing mouthparts.

And now I will duck for cover for putting up a non-bird posting. 

Margaret Leggoe