Unknown Yellow "egg" mass on tree

Don in SJ · Jun 27, 2011

Unknown Yellow "egg" mass on tree

This is a bit different post for me, but this morning I looked out my dining room window and saw a yellow blob on a dead pine tree located on my adjacent property. I went out and took these photos. After seeing them close up I have to assume it is the egg mass of some type of moth, basing that assumption on similiar but smaller Gypsy Moth egg masses I have seen by the thousands in years past. But this is much larger and such a bright yellow in color. Whatever layed the eggs did so since yesterday, since I cut all the property yesterday and would have surely seen this if it was there yesterday.

Don

Sheldon J · Jun 27, 2011

Re: Unknown Yellow "egg" mass on tree

Fungal infection, possibly were a diseased spot is on the tree...

timekiller · Jun 27, 2011

Re: Unknown Yellow "egg" mass on tree

Maybe a Gypsy Moth Don. :wink:

Have to see what comes out.

Mabe more that one layed at the same time after looking more in to it I see they do that some.
Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/GypsyMoth.shtml
http://www.pleasantprairieonline.com/utility/news/newsitem.asp?NewsID=787
http://www.ci.oconomowoc.wi.us/Park&Rec/forestry/MANAGING GYPSY MOTH EGG MASSES.pdf

Mackaydon · Jun 27, 2011

Re: Unknown Yellow "egg" mass on tree

Guessing: Fuligo septica, aka dog vomit fungus
Don....

Tuberale · Jun 27, 2011

Re: Unknown Yellow "egg" mass on tree

Mackaydon is correct! (Like you needed independent confirmation.)

Fuligo septica is a type of fungus called a slime mold. Normally it lives quietly in leaf litter gathering energy. But when the time is ripe and conditions are appropriate, this fungus becomes mobile, and starts climbing the nearest point as fast as its plasmodium can carry it. Thus the appearance on your tree.

BTW, this is not infectious or bad. While the are just as likely to be on a stump or higher branch on the ground as on a tree trunk, they always attempt to get to the highest-possible point to begin spore-production.

Slime molds are closely related to animals. And that's one reason why human life is more closely related to fungi than to plants.