Help Identifiying Critter

[Junebug]

I just went out and took some more photos. The bottom of the thing is all sealed up now. It kind of looks like an upside down lid w/handle has been attached. Now I'm thinking it could be a cocoon. If it is I guess I could cut the leaf off the plant and stick the leaf and bumpy thing in a breathable container until whoever's inside decides to come out.

I've been researching bees and wasps and haven't found a match or anything even close to what I saw earlier. Maybe the bee/wasp critter didn't have anything to do with building the little bumpy structure. He might have been interrupted by me while he was trying to eat the critter that was building this thing. Hopefully some OB bug enthusiasts will see my thread and share some info.

[harrywitmore]

Originally Posted by Junebug

I just went out and took some more photos. The bottom of the thing is all sealed up now. It kind of looks like an upside down lid w/handle has been attached. Now I'm thinking it could be a cocoon. If it is I guess I could cut the leaf off the plant and stick the leaf and bumpy thing in a breathable container until whoever's inside decides to come out.

I've been researching bees and wasps and haven't found a match or anything even close to what I saw earlier. Maybe the bee/wasp critter didn't have anything to do with building the little bumpy structure. He might have been interrupted by me while he was trying to eat the critter that was building this thing. Hopefully some OB bug enthusiasts will see my thread and share some info.

This is awesome! Did it have a hard shell like a beetle or softer like a wasp or bee. Did it fly?

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

This is awesome! Did it have a hard shell like a beetle or softer like a wasp or bee. Did it fly?

Sorry, Harry, I replied a few hours ago but I don't see my post.

The actual bug looked like something from the bee/wasp family and it flew out of the unfinished construction when I was taking pictures. He had a black body with red marks on his backside. It was not like a beetle at all. You can get a faint glimpse of his behind in the first two photos at the beginning of my thread. The last photo in the beginning thread shows the empty cocoon after the bug flew out. It looked empty anyway. There may have been something in there that can't be seen in the photo.

I've included even more photos. I'm now convinced this is a cocoon. You can see fibers in the construction. It looks gooey but it's not. It's firm to the touch and dry. I wish I had a patent on the adhesive that was used. It's really stuck on there and it reminds me of fiberglass fibers and resin.