#eudryas

@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.

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

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. 

yes! he keeps both his finger and toe nails long + sharpened as part of the 'pit fighting' he does. there's a big religious component to it so there are other very specific things involved too, the nails are just one part, for the use of bloodshedding one's opponent as much as possible when grappling. vetiver has them too for the same reason.