Page 615 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Noctuidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida,
west to Texas
HABITAT Woodlands and forest edges
HOST PLANTS Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis spp.), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus
quinquefolia), and grapevine (Vitis spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar that rests and feeds exposed, usually on young foliage
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but relatively uncommon

ADULT WINGSPAN

1⅜–1 ⁄ in (35–46 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (40 mm)
EUDRYAS GRATA
BEAUTIFUL WOOD NYMPH 613

(FABRICIUS, 1793)

The Beautiful Wood Nymph caterpillar feeds and rests in plain
sight, suggesting probable toxicity to predators. One generation
is typical in its northern range, with two or more possible farther
south. Larvae occasionally rest on wood structures such as fence
posts or park benches, lending credence to the common name.
At pupation, the caterpillar digs into bark or stems, parts of
which it uses to construct its cocoon. The pupa overwinters,
and the moth ecloses in early summer.

The caterpillar is relatively uncommon throughout its range
and usually happened upon while searching for something else.

At rst glance, Eudryas grata larvae are almost indistinguishable
from those of the closely related Pearly Wood Nymph (E. unio),
although there is a subtle difference in the prolegs: E. grata
has a single black basal spot, while E. unio has two. Adults of
both species also look strikingly similar—both are convincing
bird-dropping mimics that rest in plain sight. The Beautiful Wood Nymph caterpillar has
alternating rings of orange, black, and white,
with intermittent black spots extending across
the abdomen and into the leg regions. The head
and prothoracic shield are orange with black
spots. Few visible setae are present.

Actual size