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Car frass #880068

Asked August 03, 2024, 7:17 PM EDT

I met the team today at the Lake Oswego Saturday Market. They said to contact you! For years I have been seeing a snails, brown, cylindrical deposit on my automobiles (on paint). It is dark brown and "crusty". It is tightly stuck to the paint and has to be "scraped" off. It often had "bands" around it. The photo is not the best indication since it seem it is flatter that the usual "bands". I am assuming that this is caused by some type of insect! Would you please tell me the specie that is doing this?? I have wondered for "deposits" this for decades!! "

Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Richard,

Unfortunately, that is not frass of any insect that I know of. Admittedly, though, I am really good at ID of insect specimens, but only know the look of the frass of a limited number of species.

If you happen to catch an insect in the act of depositing that frass, we'd be happy to try again and help you with an ID.

Best wishes!
Bill Gerth Replied August 07, 2024, 9:40 AM EDT
Hello Bill,

Thanks for your response!

For decades, I have been trying to see what is depositing these little brown scaley “tubes” on my vehicles.  I carefully “scratch” them off with my fingernail and wax that spot.  The photo you saw was not the “typical” appearance.  They are usually more round, and 1 to 1.5 cm in length.

I guess this is one of those mysteries which will never be solved.

Thanks for looking.

Best regards,

Richard

Richard Duncan
1035 Northshore Place
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503.744.0794

On Aug 7, 2024, at 6:40 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied August 07, 2024, 11:02 AM EDT

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