21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
camouflaged caterpillar

While photographing spiders in a large mint bush when i noticed something moving. it took a while but i finally located the "movement" and it appeared to be part of the mint bush. Finally, i looked close enough and determined that the movement was a caterpillar that appeared to have covered itself up with parts of the mint flowers. After some research i determined that this caterpillar was from a moth whose caterpillars made a habit of using its plant host parts for camouflage. a great job of mimicry to avoid predation!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Willcox, Arizona, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Copyright: © Bruce Taubert