Are these eggs, and if so, whose?

josusa47

I've just noticed these on a north-facing fence, though they may have been there any length of time.  They are about the size of poppy seeds, and though the picture makes them look grey-green, they're really beige, and each has a dark spot facing outwards.  Insects usually lay eggs on something the larvae can eat, but I would have thought wood-borers would lay their eggs inside their tunnels, where the eggs and larvae are safe from predators.

Kitty 2

Best guess, based on the pattern, would be some kind of butterfly or moth.  I've had eggs on the washing line before, so they don't always lay on a plant leaf or stem.

Lyn

I don’t know what they are but on my iPad they are the most gorgeous shade of turquoise or aqua. 
I don’t suppose it could be a fungus or lichen? 

Fishy65

Blue here too. I'd guess at a moth.

josusa47

I'll let you know if they hatch.

wild edges

Kitty 2 said:

Best guess, based on the pattern, would be some kind of butterfly or moth.  I've had eggs on the washing line before, so they don't always lay on a plant leaf or stem.

Moth I think. I had the same as you with eggs appearing on my washing line. The caterpillars hatched and abseiled down to the ground leaving tiny bubblewrap behind.

Dovefromabove

Is this a sign of the adults just not being able to find suitable food plants for their larvae on which to lay their eggs?

Lyn

What a sad thought Dove, would be nice to know what they are so we can remedy that.

Kitty 2

@wild edges it was quite a few years ago but mine looked the same as your photo. Had to peg around the nursery for a bit.  Didn't see the hatching though.

@Dovefromabove Are you saying that they are moth/butterfly eggs? You're clever with 'bug stuff'.
I was just guessing.

wild edges

Dovefromabove said:

Is this a sign of the adults just not being able to find suitable food plants for their larvae on which to lay their eggs?

From the way they disperse I'd assumed that the egg layer just wanted a high open place so that the caterpillars can catch the wind with their threads and get carried further away, similar to spider babies. If they're general feeders then it makes sense to do it that way rather than lay several clutches of a few eggs on specific food plants. I need to do more research though.

Dovefromabove

Kitty 2 said:

@wild edges it was quite a few years ago but mine looked the same as your photo. Had to peg around the nursery for a bit.  Didn't see the hatching though.

@Dovefromabove Are you saying that they are moth/butterfly eggs? You're clever with 'bug stuff'.
I was just guessing.

Pretty certain they are ... we've had similar photos in other years and that's been the informed opinion.