I know, I’ve been complaining about not enjoying the cold this year. I’ll get over it, especially once spring arrives in a few weeks. In the meantime, here’s a little something that Mary Beth found on one of our tree peonies back in 2010. Plump little leaf chomper Cecropia moth larva that caused the plant no serious harm as it has still been flowering all these years later.
Here’s another view from that shoot which was before I knew most anyone who visits the blog now.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Wow, it is beautiful… great shot, Steve.
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Chubby little leaf chomper and we were very happy to share. Thanks, Eliza!
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That’s a wow !!! Interesting little guy for sure 😳
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Thanks, Ted. Although completely different as an adult, both stages are beautiful and catch your interest.
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Looks like you were dealing with green energy before it became fashionable.
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The caterpillars certainly were.
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That’s a pretty ornamented buddy.
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Evolution! The baubles are considered by some to be ladybug lookalikes to ward off predators.
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This is really an awesome macro shot !
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Thank you, Rudi!
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Wow! I instantly thought of Alice😀
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Our front yard is a wonderland. 🙂
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There are some really amazing and colorful details on this one. Absolutely fascinating.
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Another fine example of evolution allowing species to adapt and survive. In most cases that is. Those little trinkets look like lady bugs and some predators will avoid for that reason. Otoh, tachinid flies don’t care and this one succumbed to some of the fly’s larvae. Its a tough world out there even when you are beautiful.
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Great macro of the green monster with a voracious appetite!
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Thanks, Peter.
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Lol, his blobs have blobs! Fascinating. Love that open curl. Great shot!
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Thank you, Allison! So much decoration which entertains us and, to a degree, protects them from being dinner.
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This one looks like the Big Green Guy that Steve posted some years ago. I fell in love with that one, but this one could turn my head. This might be BGG’s city cousin; he’s pretty fancy. I’d love to see something like this, with all of those colorful appendanges.
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Mary Beth was quite shocked and delighted to see this guy munching on the tree peony leaves. Once an adult, which sadly this one failed to become, the moth is huge and beautiful. Once again, sadly, I have never had an opportunity to photograph an adult. I keep hoping to at least see one again.
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Why can’t people be as colorful as this? Well, maybe that’s why we wear clothes and ornaments: to make up for our blandness. She’s beautiful, and I like how you caught her making the transition from stem to leaf (or at least it looks that way).
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Some certainly are with tattoos and piercings and dyed hair. I am too reserved and shy to draw attention to myself with such decoration but some people… 😀 Thanks, Linda!
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Utterly fantastic, Steve. Isn’t it nice to have a spot of tropical color in your own backyard?
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It certainly was nice to have something this exotic to photograph and enjoy. Just the one time though. Maybe again this year if I am lucky. Thanks, Lynn.
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You never know but if it’s not one of them, there will be something else fascinating to see. I may have told you before, but one afternoon I found a Luna moth resting on a small plant for sale at a grocery store north of NYC. I carefully picked up the potted plant, went through the line, and purchased it. I think I was able to get a few photos before it flew off – long time ago.
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You might have but I don’t recall and that is cool enough that I would remember hearing it, I think. It’s a wonder that you were able to get all the way home and make a couple of images before it wandered off.
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What incredible features and colors. Well spotted, Mary Beth, and well captured, Steve.
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Nature is just full of this stuff. Isn’t it wonderful? Thanks, Tanja!
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And we get to see and hear and experience it every day! ❤
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Fantastic image! I love the baubles and the blue and white spiky bits – very ornate!
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The insect world is filled with such wonder and this little guy is near the top of special. Those baubles resemble lady bugs as a deterrent maybe.
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Gorgeous. Like you, I prefer to let nature take its course but doing that it seems the wasps win all the time. They’re cool and all, but…
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This is one of those cases where once you see the larvae they are pretty much in command and the caterpillar is doomed. Removing the human emotion makes this just another part of life in the wild. Even their beauty means little to nature and it’s all for a purpose. Thanks, Melissa.
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