The start of a wasp nest?

[Kveldssanger]

Saw this on a heavily-decaying willow today. It's got a very thin crust that, when pressured in any way, cracks slightly and is like a thick yoghurt / whipped cream texture. Thought it was a chicken from the ground, though up the ladder and after feeling the texture it evidently was not.

 

Anyone able to confirm it's the start of a wasp nest, or if it may be something else? If it's a wasp nest, it'll need to be disturbed so that the female wasp relocates to another location.

 

[Paul Cleaver]

I think the queen wasp needs squashing

[Kveldssanger]

I'd rather disturb it and have her fly somewhere else to start another nest while she can, assuming that's feasible?

[Kveldssanger]

Also interesting to see it's located on deadwood that's heavily decayed. So many trees around and this one was chosen. Shaded spot almost throughout the day, cool, though right by a busy road and a housing estate.

[woodwizzard]

Doesn't look like a wasp nest from that picture or your description. Can't shed any light on what it is though, maybe a fungal growth.

 

Please don't go squashing wasps, everything has its' place. Think we all know the biggest pest species on this planet!

[Mick Dempsey]

Don't be daft.

[Kveldssanger]

I thought it was chicken of the woods from the ground, though it's far too squishy that as soon as I was up the ladder it screamed of something insect-created.

 

I shan't be killing it if it is a wasp. If it is one, I'd rather she find somewhere else before she spends too much time making the nest there.

[Mick Dempsey]

Not wasp nest by the way (IME)

[David Humphries]

I'd imagine this is a developing Enteridium

 

 

Enteridium (Reticularia) lycoperdon - slime mould - David Humphries’s Fungi Directory - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

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[Kveldssanger]

Oh wow, thanks for that David. It looked a little like a tiny cauliflower in the morning, though by the afternoon had grown slightly. Are they common?

 

Expanding foam - great description, and fits this.