White-dotted prominent caterpillar

 

A white-dotted prominent caterpillar (Nadata gibbosa) gnaws on the leaf of a post oak (Quercus stellata). This species feeds primarily on oak and other plants in the Fagaceae family. Needless to say, we were pleased to come across this larva, which in my estimation is one of the coolest caterpillars in the vast eastern deciduous forest region.

Like many caterpillars, white-dotted prominents typically feed from the leaf edge in the manner of the animal in the photo above. Although it is a large caterpillar in its last instar (growth stage), it can be surprisingly difficult to spot them as they do a good job of becoming one with the leaf.

We found this one on a foray into an Adams County, Ohio prairie on September 18, 2026.

We temporarily relocated the cat for photos, which triggered its defensive reaction in which it becomes surprisingly snake-like in appearance. The caterpillar coils its body and bares its black, yellow and white mandibles/mouthparts. I do not know if this is intentional snake mimicry, but such displays are presumably geared towards threatening songbirds. Avian predators consume enormous numbers of caterpillars, so if a larva such as this could evolve a threat display that is capable of intimidating at least some members of that group, the white-dotted prominent caterpillar's chance of survival increases.

The snake display can be even more advanced than in the photo above. See the photo below.

As always, click the image to enlarge.

I made this image several years back, and this white-dotted prominent caterpillar pulled out all of the stops in its attempt to appear snakish (or whatever it's trying to resemble). It is quite remarkable to observe this behavior. Oftentimes, prior to posing as above, the caterpillar will rear its upper body and head, and sway back and forth like a cobra in a snake charmer's basket.

If all goes well, and the larva dodges all of the predators that might come its way (caterpillars have remarkably high rates of predation, possibly approaching 99% in some cases), this it will morph into. The common name of the organism - white-dotted prominent - stems from two small white dots on the moth's forewings. They are towards the lower edge of the wing, and between the two prominent cinnamon-colored lines.