ID please, cocoon/eggs?

Jellyfire

Just noticed this strange thing on one of the reeds in the pond. It looks like a section of a feather in texture and shape, slightly iridescent. Its about half an inch long and but only a mm or so in depth. Any ideas?
Couldnt quite focus on it with my phone so Im holding the big leaf behind it, but its above the water so presumably whatever hatches may drop down into the water

Liz.S.

They look like horse fly eggs to me.

Hampshire_Hog

I would agree with Liz. horse fly  the fly lays them above water and as they hatch they drop into the water.

They are most common near streams and wetlands, where the females lay eggs. Females are also common around cattle, horses, deer, and other large mammals, from which they obtain the blood needed in order to make eggs. the larvae are voracious predators of other small animals, including insects, small fish, and more. Others eat detritus. Adults eat nectar and pollen from flowers. Females (but not males) also drink blood.

I personally would destroy them. 🐗

Jellyfire

Oh that’s a dilemma, I’m always loathe to destroy any insect, but I hate bloody horseflies! 

thanks for the ID

Dovefromabove

I hate bloody horsefly bites 😭 ... 💡 if you destroy them then drop them in the water the newts and dragonfly larvae can eat them 👍 

Jellyfire

Its not just the bites dove, its the sheer brazen persistence of them when they decide they are going to feast on you, they never take no for an answer! They are now tadpole food...

Hampshire_Hog

I had a really bad reaction to a bite many years ago, my leg swelled up and blistered could not get a shoe on and was on antibiotics for a month and off work for two weeks. Interestingly since that one episode they don't bother me anymore and nor do midges or mosquitoes. 🐗

Jellyfire

short term pain, long term gain.. We get a fair few here, the bites are always nasty things that last for ages, at least none of us seem to have reactions to them though

Dovefromabove

Jellyfire said:

short term pain, long term gain.. We get a fair few here, the bites are always nasty things that last for ages, at least none of us seem to have reactions to them though

Lucky you ... I had one behind my knee that had to be lanced!!! 😭 That was when we lived down your way 😝 

Jellyfire

thanks for that Dove, something to look forward to 

Fire

I had one at Sissinghurst last year that came up like a bustard's egg. And that, in spite of me being covered in bug spray. They are my biggest fans; can't stay away.

@Jellyfire I have messaged you.