Hwy 14 cocoons?

[Hampton]

Yesterday, driving through the Gorge on Highway 14 we noticed many huge cocoons in the trees. We also saw some along I-84.

 

Does anyone know what type of animal I saw?

[111]

saw those too. just when the sun was low they are very noticeable.

[bobinc]

probably tent caterpillars

[G-spotter]

Although commonly called "tent caterpillars" around these parts, real tent caterpillars only build tents in spring. What you saw was actually the Fall Webworm:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_webworm

 

 

[mike1]

seems to be an inordinate amount of them this season...

[G-spotter]

The population is on a multiyear cycle that has highs and lows. Wasps, their major predator, generally lag the webworm population by a year - next year will probably be tons of wasps and no webworms.