All grown up...

Regular viewers might remember the lappet caterpillar that I photographed at the end of June. Shortly after that image was taken, it spun a cocoon and yesterday the adult moth emerged. The Latin name is Gastropacha quercifolia - this refers to its similarity to a bunch of dried-up oak leaves (oaks belong to the genus Quercus).The prominent snout is distinctive, and may imitate a leaf stalk. It appears black under normal lighting conditions, but the flash has brought out some surprising blue colouration.