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 |