Green bugs in the loft

[Zebra]

Went up into the loft today to finish the insulation, and noticed there are little green bugs up there. I have eaves comb installed, so no bugs of any dimension should be able to get up there. They're about a centimetre long, skinny, and bright green, although some of them were brown. They have long antennae, and large gauzy wings. Any idea what they are and whether I should be worried about them?

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I know the ones you mean---think they might be lacewings, no problems with them as far as I know.! Hope I am right :roll:

 

[Zebra]

Just googled lacewings; yes, that's the fellas. So no harm then? That's good. Thank you.

 

[88v8]

Lacewings are beneficial predators, so I hope they can manage to get out in the Spring.
Hopefully by the same means they got in.

Perhaps your attic will become a hibernation hotspot.

Ivor

 

[Zebra]

Predators?!!! In the loft?!!!! :shock:

 

[Zebra]

Another one for the pest experts: also found in the loft - what's this?
It could perhaps be of plant origin rather than insect origin, but it kind of looks like a tail section with segments, and two long parts on one side of the shell, like wings? I hope it's nothing harmful to the house. But also, please tell me it's not more predators.

 

[Lime]

It looks like a butterfly/moth chrysalis/pupa to me.

 

[Flyfisher]

I agree, though don't know what particular species.

This link seems to confirm it as a pupa but also that many species look very similar at this stage so hard to identify for sure: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/902/p/42462/280126.aspx

I suspect our resident expert will be along shortly . . .

 

[Zebra]

Friend or foe? Squash it, or tuck it back in til springtime? Mind you, it can't get out. Rehome it somewhere else perhaps?
Last year I noticed a hibernating butterfly in a roll of lead, so carefully didn't move the roll of lead all winter. In the spring it didn't get up.....

 

[Flyfisher]

I'd just leave it be but if you're really worried about it how about moving it to a shed or similar?

 

[88v8]

It's a giant Madagascan woodworm caterpillar. Your house will have to be fumigated. And your car. And you.



Or Heston may have a recipe for it.

Ivor

 

[Feltwell]

I'd hazard a guess at a No.8 x 1", pozi head, single thread, yellow passivated.

Likes to borrow into man made boards or softwood, occasionally hardwood, it's really not that fussy. Tends to hibernate in small cardboard boxes with around 199 of it's friends, often found in swarms in places such as Screwfix or Toolstation.

A modern phenomenon, they are a foreign invader that has had a devastating effect on our native "slot-head" varieties.

Be careful, their burrowing activities have been known to cause expensive damage to cables and pipes.

 

[Zebra]

Oh dear, Feltwell, I hadn't realised those things were so dangerous. Looking about, it seems the house is totally infested. Some are longer, and a more silvery colour. They must be almost ready to hatch, what on earth should I do?
Ivor, I did note on Flyfisher's link there was a description of methods by which they could be eaten. Erm, I don't think I'm that hungry right now....

 

[Matt Green]

I've been on the vino collapso, so my typing may be askew. Good word that: askew.

It's a pupa of some description, probably dipteran. Flies. You can cut it open if you are sound of stomach and find out exactly what. Otherwise you'd need a specialist rather than a chancer like me.

Matt

 

[Feltwell]

Some are longer, and a more silvery colour.

Ahh, the "zincplated" variety. Not so hardy in our British climate, these prefer to live inside all year round.

Now that they've burrowed in, they're unlikely to do further damage to your woodwork - indeed, trying to get them out may do more harm than good.

 

[Feltwell]

Likes to borrow into man made boards or softwood

And there was I thinking that might just tempt Penners out from hiding.... :wink:

 

[Flyfisher]

It has probably put him off for life :wink:

 

[LadyArowana]

It has probably put him off for life :wink:

I am worried it's my fault, that perhaps a certain person sent him a certain thing and as a result he has suffered some sort of psychotic break and had to be taken away by the men in white coats :shock:

 

[jocelyn plummer]

awww poor little chrysalis---- it's just a cabbage white--leave it be.!!

 

[skier-hughes]

It has probably put him off for life :wink:

I am worried it's my fault, that perhaps a certain person sent him a certain thing and as a result he has suffered some sort of psychotic break and had to be taken away by the men in white coats :shock:

I which case I must take none of the blame