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17th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Smeared Dagger and Henry's Marsh Moth caterpillars

I was leading a field trip through a botanically diverse fen, when we encountered two of our showiest wetland caterpillar species just feet apart. The top one is a Smeared Dagger Moth caterpillar, and the other is a Henry's Marsh Moth caterpillar. We temporarily moved the latter into the proximity of the former for photos, then returned it to its original plant. When working with caterpillars, it is always critical to return them to the plant that they were feeding on, if they are temporarily detained or moved.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2019
Date Uploaded: 08.2019
Photo Location: Beavercreek, Ohio, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R
Copyright: © Jim McCormac