@Michele that is a wealth of helpful info, thanks!
I just gathered together photos of a number of "unusual" things in my daylily gardens, and thought maybe a new thread could branch off from here where anyone can post things they see but don't understand. Not limiting it necessarily to spring sickness (this thread) or even an illness or bug, so that the question of what it might be could remain open to experienced eyes noting whatever they know of such things ... it sure would be an interesting topic to me. I really like all the ideas that get generated, the stories that describe information about things that look similar, links to comparative photos, and other members pics of what they find.
... well, here goes...