Bird-dropping-mimicry
Guides
Acontia coquillettii
bird dropping moth
Acontia coquillettii is a small noctuid moth species native to western North America. It is characterized by its predominantly white forewings with distinctive grey and olive markings on the distal portion, a pattern that serves as camouflage resembling bird droppings. The species has been documented in California and Oregon, with specific records from the Snake River region in Malheur County. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Acontia found in North America.
Acontia cretata
Chalky Bird Dropping Moth
Acontia cretata, commonly known as the Chalky Bird Dropping Moth, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 22–27 mm. It occurs across the southwestern and south-central United States. Adults are active from April to September. The species was first described by Grote and Robinson in 1870.
Acontiinae
bird dropping moths
Acontiinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Noctuidae, commonly known as bird dropping moths. The subfamily contains over 50 genera and approximately 430 described species distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical climates. Many species exhibit remarkable bird-dropping mimicry as adults, with cryptic coloration and patterning that renders them nearly invisible against lichen-covered bark or actual bird droppings.
Antaeotricha leucillana
Pale Gray Bird-dropping Moth
Antaeotricha leucillana, commonly known as the pale gray bird-dropping moth, is a small moth species in the family Depressariidae. First described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1854, it is widely distributed across eastern and central North America. The species exhibits a bird-dropping mimicry coloration as adults and has documented larval associations with several woody plant genera.
Antaeotricha schlaegeri
Schlaeger's Fruitworm Moth
Antaeotricha schlaegeri, commonly known as Schlaeger's Fruitworm Moth, is a small moth species in the family Depressariidae (formerly placed in Oecophoridae). Adults have a wingspan of 21–30 mm and are notable for their resemblance to bird droppings, a form of camouflage. The species occurs in northeastern North America, ranging from southern Canada south to North Carolina and west to Kansas and Texas. Larvae feed on oak species, particularly Quercus alba, and have also been recorded on birch (Betula species).
Cerma cerintha
Tufted Bird-dropping Moth
Cerma cerintha, known as the tufted bird-dropping moth, is a noctuid moth species described by Georg Friedrich Treitschke in 1826. The species is found in North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9062. It belongs to the subfamily Acronictinae within the owlet moth family Noctuidae. The common name references its resemblance to bird droppings, a form of protective mimicry.
Epiblema tripartitana
Epiblema tripartitana is a small tortricid moth in the leafroller family Tortricidae. The species has been documented in Colorado and Vermont, with observations at light stations during summer moth surveys. Its common name references the three-part or tripartite wing pattern. The moth exhibits distinctive coloration that has been described as resembling bird droppings, a form of protective camouflage.
Eudryas grata
Beautiful Wood-nymph
Eudryas grata, commonly known as the beautiful wood-nymph, is a moth species in the family Noctuidae. Adults are notable for their remarkable mimicry of bird droppings, a defensive adaptation that deters visually-oriented predators. The species ranges across eastern North America, with caterpillars feeding on several plant species in the grape family (Vitaceae).
Mastophora phrynosoma
Toadlike Bolas Spider
Mastophora phrynosoma is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae. Adult females hunt without building a web, instead using a single silk line with one or more sticky droplets to capture prey. Males and juvenile females lack this specialized hunting method and capture prey directly with their legs. The species is found in the United States.
Papilio
Common Swallowtails
Papilio is a large genus of swallowtail butterflies containing approximately 200 species, representing the sole genus in the tribe Papilionini. The genus includes some of the most recognizable butterflies worldwide, such as the Old World swallowtail (P. machaon), western tiger swallowtail (P. rutulus), and eastern tiger swallowtail (P. glaucus). Modern taxonomic revisions have consolidated numerous former genera—including Pterourus (tiger swallowtails), Heraclides (giant swallowtails), and Achillides—into Papilio, making it one of the most diverse butterfly genera. The name derives from the Latin word for butterfly.
Papilio rumiko
western giant swallowtail
Papilio rumiko, the western giant swallowtail, is a large swallowtail butterfly species recognized in 2014 based on DNA evidence, having been previously confused with Papilio cresphontes. It ranges from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to Panama. The species exhibits classic giant swallowtail morphology with distinctive yellow banding patterns and maroon eyespots on the hindwings.
Papilio troilus
Spicebush Swallowtail, Green-clouded Butterfly
Papilio troilus, the spicebush swallowtail, is a black swallowtail butterfly native to eastern North America. Adults are primarily black with distinctive green-blue (male) or bright blue (female) half-moon markings on the hindwings, along with cream-yellow spots and orange basal patches. The species exhibits two subspecies: the widespread P. t. troilus and the Florida-endemic P. t. ilioneus. Larvae are notable for their dramatic ontogenetic color change, shifting from bird-dropping mimicry in early instars to snake-mimicry with large eyespots in later stages.
Ponometia candefacta
Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth
Ponometia candefacta, commonly known as the olive-shaded bird-dropping moth, is a small noctuid moth native to North America. It has been deliberately introduced to Russia as a biological control agent for common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). The species inhabits dry, disturbed, weedy areas at low elevations and is active during summer months.
Ponometia exigua
Bicolored Bird-dropping Moth
Ponometia exigua is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Bicolored Bird-dropping Moth. First described by Fabricius in 1793, it occurs across the southeastern United States, Caribbean islands, and extends through Central America to Brazil. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Larvae feed on specific host plants including Erechtites hieraciifolia and Waltheria ovata.
Ponometia tortricina
Yellowish Bird-dropping Moth
Ponometia tortricina is a small moth species in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Yellowish Bird-dropping Moth. It belongs to a group of moths whose camouflage resembles bird droppings, an adaptation that helps avoid predation. The species was first described by Zeller in 1872 and has been recorded across multiple observation platforms.
Spragueia cleta
Common Spragueia Moth
Spragueia cleta is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Common Spragueia Moth. It belongs to the bird dropping moth group, a guild of species whose cryptic coloration mimics avian feces as a defense against predators. The species was described by Druce in 1889 and is found in North America.
Suleima baracana
baracana moth
Suleima baracana is a tortricid moth whose larvae bore into stems of the Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Adults are small, cryptically colored moths that resemble bird droppings—specifically goldfinch waste—providing effective camouflage when resting on upper leaf surfaces. The species has been documented in Alberta, Canada, and is part of a guild of sunflower-specialist tortricid moths that exploit cultivated and native sunflowers.
Tarache aprica
Exposed Bird Dropping Moth, Nun
Tarache aprica, commonly known as the exposed bird dropping moth, is a small noctuid moth native to North America. The species exhibits bird-dropping mimicry as a defensive strategy. Adults are active from March through September in southern portions of their range, with a reduced season in northern areas. The larvae feed specifically on Alcea rosea (hollyhock).
Tarache areloides
A small noctuid moth of the subfamily Acontiinae, first described from the southwestern United States in 1912. Adults have forewings 12–14 mm in length and are active from July through September. The species exhibits a distinctive bird-dropping mimicry coloration, a common defensive adaptation among acontiine moths.