any clue what this is? -- Potter wasp

[sheeshshe]

I was looking at my blueberry bushes (1st year plants) and saw what looked like a blueberry but it looked like it was covered in clay. it was the same size, shape etc of the few berries that was on the plant. I thought it looked odd so I took it off with a stick to see what it was. the clay looking part was a shell like structure and inside was filled with about 5 green little caterpillars. so weird! I mean it was perfectly disguised as a blueberry except for the color. what insect would do something so intelligent like that?

[microcollie]

Sounds like a potter wasp. (sorry, I'm not good with latin insect names) The caterpillers are actually the host for its eggs, which it seals into the small, ball-shaped case. As the wasp larvae hatch, they'll feed on the hosts until they're ready to break out of the mud case. Therefore, they should be considered a beneficial thing, as they are feeding on the larvae of many pest insects. Their larger dwellings can be quite beautiful. Hope you have more around!

[sheeshshe]

really! wow that is neat! Off to look up more about it. so I did a bad thing by getting rid of it, darn.

[sheeshshe]

yep that is it for sure! thank you! wow. that is pretty neat.

[microcollie]

I did the same thing when I first saw one. We live and learn. Let us know once you look at pics online that we're talking about the same thing.

[sheeshshe]

must have cross posted with you... it is exactly what it is. very neat!