Cryptic Comma's Cryptic Caterpillar

The Comma is one of my favourite butterflies, so called because of the white comma-shaped mark on its underwing. We get plenty as we have everything the larvae like to eat. A wild hop rambles through our southern hedge and we have an abundance of nettles, elm and willow.

I found this caterpillar on elm. I was intrigued that some of its spikes are white and the others brown. Close up it looks beautiful but from a distance it resembles a bird dropping. The butterfly also exhibits a cryptic shape and colouring, it looks just like a dead leaf when it has its wings folded.