“Don’t eat that, Junior, it looks like bird poop!”
Peek into a butterfly and moth identification guide and you may be surprised to learn that the caterpillar stage of the giant swallowtail butterfly is a perfect mimic of bird poop! To protect themselves from predators, some caterpillars have stinging hairs, some have patterns that look like giant scary eyes, some resemble sticks, and some look like bird droppings. The ecologically restored habitats at the Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site support a diverse array of fascinating caterpillars, butterflies, and moths.