Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar

I do a daily photo walk in my community. In the summer months I photograph a lot of insects but I'd never seen anything quite like this one with all its colors. I later learned that this caterpillar is very toxic. The white tufts can cause severe pain and rash when injected into human skin. Fortunately I never touched it.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Reston, Virginia, United States of America
Camera: ILCA-68
Copyright: © Arthur Hass