✅ SOLVED What are they?

[Sandog]

Here are a couple of critters I shot in NC. Have no idea of the identity of either specimen, but I see posts from folks who are extraordinarily knowledgeable for almost every subject imaginable. figure some one can ID them. Moderator, feel free to move this post wherever it might be better suited.

 

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[Red-Coat]

Well, the first one is a Beautiful Wood-Nymph Moth (Eudryas grata):



The second picture isn’t great and difficult to see that it’s a caterpillar. If it is, I would think probably a Luna Moth (Actias luna and other species) or in that territory. There are a number of green caterpillars for your region which have those eye-like colourations as mimicry.

PS: The Beautiful Wood-Nymph Moth has mimicry for bird-droppings.

 

[Sandog]

Well, the first one is a Beautiful Wood-Nymph Moth (Eudryas grata):

View attachment 2036753 View attachment 2036754

The second picture isn’t great and difficult to see that it’s a caterpillar. If it is, I would think probably a Luna Moth (Actias luna) or in that territory. There are a number of green caterpillars for your region which have those eye-like colourations.

Fantastic! Right on the money with that moth. Unbelievably fast too. Did you recognize it or look it up? I looked at images of moths for a long time and never saw that one. Sorry about the photo of the little green guy, but I never really planned to look him up. yes, he was a caterpillar, to the best of my knowledge, LOL.

 

[Red-Coat]

Did you recognize it or look it up?

You're most welcome. Yes, I recognized it, but had to look up for comparison images

 

[Sandog]

You're most welcome. Yes, I recognized it, but had to look up for comparison images

Amen to looking like bird droppings. Great defensive camouflage.

 

[bowwinkles]

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[Sandog]

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Thanks for that. And they even come in colors.