Anyone know what this weird scale-type thing is?

[SilverShoe99]

I found this thing on the underside of a branch on a Chinese elm today. It’s hard and doesn’t move, and seems to be relatively robust as I lightly tapped it with a metal chopstick a few times and it held up with no damage. I figure it’s got to be some kind of bug or parasite but can’t seem to find any pics or info via google.

Anyone have any ideas? The last pic is for scale - you can see it’s bigger than the fat end of a chopstick.

 

[Fidur]

A wasp nest?

 

[penumbra]

I sure am glad that scale aren't that lrage. That would be a nightmare. I also think it is some sort of nest or cocoon. I hope someone pipes in who has seen this before.

 

[SWfloirda]

Jeez, I hate to feel stupid but I get similar pests on my sugar apple trees. I always thought it was scale.

 

[penumbra]

Somebody needs to dissect one.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Dang! That first pic is scary as hell!

I have a blue magnolia that has had some scale as big as the bug pictured.
However,
I’ve never seen those wicked - I don’t even know what to call them -little slimy side flaps?
Freaky.
Would lead me to believe this is something else.
Are they soft?

 

[Laura H]

It looks like a praying mantis egg case to me. If so, it won’t harm the plant and when the babies hatch out in spring, they’ll take care of any insect problems you have.

 

[Pitoon]

It looks like a praying mantis egg case to me. If so, it won’t harm the plant and when the babies hatch out in spring, they’ll take care of any insect problems you have.

I concur, it looks very much like an egg case from a matis.

 

[KateM]

It's too small to be a praying mantis egg case...
It a wax scale Ceroplastes.

​

 

[rockm]

I also think its scale. I've seen them around this size before.

 

[Srt8madness]

I think it's funny our different demeanor. OP gingerly tapped with metal chopstick (probably smart), whereas I'd have whipped out my knife and cut that alien looking thing right off, and stabbed it for good measure.

 

[penumbra]

I have a lot of mantis and their egg cases are amorphus in shape, a homogeneous pale tan and much larger.

 

[KateM]

Here is a wax scale on Bittersweet vine. If you take it off, in one piece, which is easy, a d flip it over you can see the scale insect under its waxy coating. They are red! I wonder if you can get cochineal out of them?

 

[SilverShoe99]

Here is a wax scale on Bittersweet vine. If you take it off, inView attachment 469058View attachment 469059View attachment 469060 one piece, which is easy, a d flip it over you can see the scale insect under its waxy coating. They are red! I wonder if you can get cochineal out of the

So, yeah - it's a big, fat scale. Good call, @KateM After seeing all this feedback I gave it another whack with the chopstick. The shell shattered and the bug was crushed into some weird orange goo. Good times!

 

[KateM]