Magnificent caterpillar spotted!! 🐛

Not of a butterfly, but a moth. A member of the terribly named “Slug Moth” family. And what kind of cheerless and imagination-free committee looks at this and thinks “I shall call you… slug.”

(Unless it’s like a double-double-cross and you’re really saying how cool slugs are. In which case, I’m back on board.)

Based on Seek + corroboration, I believe this is a spiny oak-slug moth (Euclea delphinii). Slug moth larvae “of many species are bizarre in form and color and often have stinging hairs”.

It’s just wee, and easily missed on the underside of a willow leaf. But proof amazing things can come in little packages, and hot dang what showmanship! 🎉