Bird-dropping-mimic

Guides

• Tarache delecta

  Delightful Bird-dropping Moth, Mallow Caterpillar (larval stage)

  Tarache delecta, commonly known as the delightful bird-dropping moth, is a noctuid moth in the subfamily Acontiinae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is notable as the only member of the Acontiinae known to feed on plants in the genus Hibiscus. The larval stage, referred to as the 'mallow caterpillar,' has been considered a pest of ornamental mallows.

  NoctuidaeAcontiinaebird-dropping-mimicHibiscus-feedermallow-caterpillarpestornamental-pest

• Tarache terminimaculata

  Curve-lined Bird-dropping Moth

  Tarache terminimaculata is a noctuid moth species described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae, a group commonly known as bird-dropping moths due to their cryptic appearance resembling avian feces. The species is found in North America and has been assigned Hodges number 9145.

  noctuidacontiinaebird-dropping-mimiccryptic-colorationNorth-America

• Tarache tetragona

  Four-spotted Bird-dropping Moth, four-spotted bird dropping moth

  Tarache tetragona is a small noctuid moth commonly known as the four-spotted bird-dropping moth due to its resemblance to avian droppings. The species belongs to the subfamily Acontiinae and exhibits the typical bird-dropping mimicry common in this group. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The species has been documented feeding on Malvaceae host plants during its larval stage.

  bird-dropping-mimicnocturnalMalvaceae-feederNeotropicalNearctic