With a wingspan up to 7 inches (18 cm), this moth is North America’s largest native moth. It naturally occurs in hardwood forests from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast, ranging as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Florida. (x)
These are the biggest, fluffiest gentlest moths I’ve ever met. Don’t touch them unless you have too (they’re kind of delicate and easy to quish/damage) but if you need to move one out of a high-traffic area or away from the cats they will crawl right into your hand and will hang out on your shirt if you let them.
Camouflage is an important and popular defense in the insect world, and this is especially true for moths. As many moths are nocturnal and inactive during the day, it is important that they can remain hidden in broad daylight, even when hiding in plain sight. On this lichen-covered rock sits a prime example, the mottled prominent (Macrurocampa marthesia)
Mottled prominent (Macrurocampa marthesia), Fishers Island NY. July 2018.
As caterpillars, they hide by resting against the vein of leaves that they feed on, trying to mimic the part of the leaf they had just eaten. If this tactic does not work, the caterpillars are capable of spraying a burst of formic acid from a gland just above their prothorax (i.e., the caterpillar’s “neck”). Mottled prominents feed on beech, oak, and maple.
Up to two generations a year, with caterpillars common by late spring onward. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae.
Urocyon's Jaunts 2.0 
You must be logged in to post a comment.