Pittsburgh Steelers caterpillar

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Pittsburgh Steelers caterpillar

October 29, 2012 by Mike Powell

This past weekend I came across a caterpillar that I had never seen before. Its black, yellow, and white markings somehow made me think of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team that wears those same colors. For now, I am referring to it as the Steelers caterpillar, though, of course, it has a “real” name.

I’m having trouble identifying it—it may be a Smartweed caterpillar, also known as a Smeared Dagger caterpillar (who makes up these names?), although it seems to be lacking the red coloration in the hairs that I see in most photos. If anyone can make a positive identification, please let me know. Who knows, maybe the Steelers need a fuzzy new mascot?

Pittsburgh Steelers caterpillar

Posted in Bugs, Humor, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Sports | Tagged black and yellow caterpillar, Canon 55-250mm zoom lens, Canon Rebel XT, caterpillar, Huntley Meadows Park, Pittsburgh Steelers | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on October 29, 2012 at 8:02 pm | Reply idiotprufs

Was it drinking Iron City Beer?
- on October 29, 2012 at 8:29 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Almost certainly, it’s the caterpillar’s preferred beverage.
on October 29, 2012 at 8:03 pm | Reply The Pal Guy

Great title and stunning shot.
- on October 29, 2012 at 8:28 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I figured I’d get some Steelers fans to look at an insect with that title–they are really fanatical about their team.
on October 29, 2012 at 8:46 pm | Reply lylekrahn

I think the the Steelers name will stick. They should be proud.
on October 29, 2012 at 8:54 pm | Reply Sue

That is one sharp photo, Mike. Nice work! Sorry I can’t help with the ID.
- on October 30, 2012 at 5:34 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sue. Welcome back. It’s been really enjoyable sharing in your travel adventures. Don’t worry about the ID–I’m ok with using the name I made up.
on October 30, 2012 at 11:22 am | Reply Kate Beck

Similar to the one you posted September 8th! Of course, with those uniforms they wore on Sunday, they are looking more and more like bugs.
- on October 30, 2012 at 12:23 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  They definitely were strange looking uniforms (here in Washington DC the newspapers commented that they looked like prison uniforms). As for bugs, the Steelers may have looked more like bugs, but they squashed the Redskins like bugs in that game.
on October 30, 2012 at 3:33 pm | Reply naturesnippets

Looked through my Caterpillars of Eastern N.A. It looks like a smartweed caterpillar (Acronicta oblinita). They’re highly variable and yours looks like one of the variations. Neat find.
- on October 30, 2012 at 5:54 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much for the assist in identification. It’s always tough for me to determine how close my subject needs to match the photos that I see, and the difficulty is magnified when I see words like, “They are highly variable.”
  - on October 30, 2012 at 7:02 pm naturesnippets
    
    Caterpillars can be tricky, because instars can change as they grow. The book I mentioned is a good extensive one with LOTS of info.