Bird Poop Mimicking Moth (Guenee's Emerald)
Scientific Name: Aplodes mimosaria / Synchlora aerata complex
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Geometridae
Size: Wingspan typically ranges from 15mm to 25mm.
Natural Habitat
Deciduous forests, woodlands, gardens, and meadows across North America.
Diet & Feeding
As caterpillars (larvae), they feed on a wide variety of plants including Rubus (raspberries/blackberries), Quercus (oaks), and Asteraceae. Adults primarily drink nectar.
Behavior Patterns
Notable for their 'camouflaged looper' larval stage where caterpillars attach flower petals or plant debris to their backs. Adults are nocturnal and often curl their wings in a way that, combined with their white/pale green coloration, mimics bird droppings to avoid predators.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans. They provide ecological benefits as pollinators in their adult stage and serve as a food source for birds and bats. They are not considered significant agricultural pests.
Identified on: 3/6/2026