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Black fuzzy caterpillar like substance #874197

Asked June 22, 2024, 2:55 PM EDT

About 2 years ago I placed dead birch branches into an outdoor garden pot. Recently I noticed on one of the larger branches, about 4 inches wide, a black fuzzy caterpillar looking substance on the branch which is maybe 1/4-1/2 wide that runs in a straight or curvy line that can be from a couple inches long to 6 inches long. It is not blob & does not cover a wide surface. Definitely caterpillar looking but much longer. I have not noticed, as of yet, any other branches in the pot with this substances. My daughter says - YIKES - get rid of it. I’m curious. So far I haven’t seen any photos online that resemble the “thing”, which is growing on more than one spot. My Google entry included black fuzzy caterpillar lichen or fungus substance on a dead birch branch, (although not stating that the branch is not attached to the original tree, which probably is from 1 of 2 locations in Wisconsin).

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.  I need a picture of this blob.

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