Tonight we have a common, but fantastic member of the Notodontidae Family. The black-blotched schizura (Schizura leptinoides #8011) is most often found on hickory and walnut, but can be found on other woody plants as well. The two cats I found this season were both found on low hickory branches.
The protuberances and warts found along the length of its body come in handy as it mimics damaged and senescent portions of the leaf blade as they feed openly, taking the place of the leaf tissue that they consume.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 