We Have to Watch Out for Bites and Ticks While Out Hiking

This is a mournfulthyrsi, a colorful, day-flying moth found in forests throughout the eastern US. As caterpillars, they feed only on the leaves ofgreenbrier (Smilax), a thorny vine that often irritates hikers. It’s fun to associate an attractive day-flying moth like this with the thorny plant that many curse.

This robust grasshopper seems dull at first, but notice the bright blue inside the hindleg and the bright yellow hindwings