“Beautiful Wood-nymph”

A tongue-in-cheek naming? This is a moth! The “Beautiful Wood-nymph” (Eudryas grata Fabricius) is an Owlet moth (family Noctuidae, subfamily Agaristinae); it rolls up its wings at rest, creating a pattern that looks like bird droppings. And that’s exactly what I thought it was when I first spotted it this morning! See my other image at Butterflies and Moths of North America, http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/902175
in that image you can make out an antenna. [Taken with a +1 close-up filter.]

Even though I knew I would probably post this, I went to the greenhouse and found that one of the passion flower plants (genus Passiflora) is blooming. But in my commitment to know (and document) what 6- and 8-legged animals are in our house and garden, I had to post this winged visitor (and “resident” in our area).

Confirmed as Eudryas grata or “Beautiful Wood-nymph” (Hodges#9301) at:
» BAMONA, http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/902175
» BugGuide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/781368

One year ago (“Do I hear ‘Ride of the Valkyries’?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-06
Two years ago (“Is ‘lakemark’ a word?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-06-06

[Tara]

I totally thought it was bird poop in the thumbnail. Nature is so cool isn't it? Great shot Thom!

[Rick Schies]

The amazing details of nature. Could be a defense move as well I guess

[Thom Mitchell]

@tara11 @digitalrn Nature is truly amazing and I'm sure, Rick, this is an adaptation for protection! Named "beautiful" and it resembles bird droppings. Someone has a sense of humor!

[Michelle]

What an interesting shot :) Thank you for the detail.