#eudryas

[wiltkingart]

penitence

[onenicebugperday]

@daedrabela submitted: Spotted this little guy on the side of our apartment entrance. At first I thought he was a bird poop! Would love to know more about him. Location is Central NY.

They definitely mimic birdpoop! Very believably. It’s a wood nymph moth in the genus Eudryas :)

[forestfeeling]

Hints of orange and black… moths are getting ready for spooky season!

[eumorpha-dream]

This Eudryas unio was a welcome sight at one of my new mothing sites. This moth is also known as the Pearly Wood Nymph. The larvae are pretty cool too, but the adults are just stunningly gorgeous. #eudryas #eudryasunio #pearlywoodnymph #moth #macrophotography #insect #entomology #lepidoptera #igcb_mothmondays #igclub_butterfly #macroinsect #photography (at Blue Hills Reservation) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByEGp-pAdnm/?igshid=dkumw9zvnrq3

[that-crazy-scorpio-man]

Beautiful wood nymph (Eudryas grata) whom I had mistaken as poop.  Someone on Instagram said he looked like a slice of cake, too.  LOL

It’s amazing how I’ve lived here all my life and keep discovering new creatures.

[calosoma-amitch]

Beautiful woodnymph (Eudryas grata), Fishers Island NY, July 2018. 

With beautiful red, orange, and cream coloration, the name of this small moth is apt. But the patterning also suggest that the moth is a bird-dropping mimic, a possible way to avoid predation by birds, bats, and other predators. 

In contrast, the caterpillar is striped with orange and white; I posted a picture of one here. The coloration may hint that wood-nymphs are toxic if eaten.

Caterpillars feed on different species of vines in the eastern US, mostly grape, Virginia Creeper, and native peppervine. Some have even consumed hops, although not at levels where they would be considered pests. 

At least one generation in the Mid-Atlantic. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae. 

[onenicebugperday]

@shadsune-miku submitted: I found this moth in central New Hampshire last year and I'm not sure what it is. All I know is I love its little pompom hands

They are trying SO HARD to be bird poop but we’re not fooled. This sweet babe is a beautiful wood nymph. Yes, that’s really what they’re called and not just a whimsical description I made up :)

[onenicebugperday]

@snowfeet-everyday​ submitted: Found this little baby on my door in Eastern Connecticut! I've never seen anything like it here, could you help me out? I tried to get my phone camera to cooperate lol. My friend has dubbed it the choco taco, some spectacular leg warmers on this baby!

Choco taco!! Much more appealing than the bird poop it’s camouflaging itself as :P This friend is a wood nymph moth in the genus Eudryas :)