What in the Woods Is That?

Play our biweekly guessing game!

Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.

Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).

Good or Bad?

Maine State Entomologist Allison Kanoti shared this image with us. Although these two things may appear to be similar – and they were found side by side on a cherry tree – they are actually very different. One involves a destructive invasive species, the other a beloved native species. What are these?

Answer

On the left is a browntail moth web, and on the right a promethea moth cocoon. Kanotis said browntail moth caterpillars “have many tiny, toxic hairs” that can cause rashes and itching in humans. The caterpillars can also harm native species of shrubs and trees. “We encourage awareness this time of year because people often don’t realize they have a problem until the larger caterpillars are wandering, at which point it is too late to implement management,” she said. To learn more about identifying and removing browntail moth webs, visit the state’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry website.

This week’s contest winner was Johanna Stinson