Smeared Dagger

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Smeared Dagger

August 25, 2013 by Mike Powell

Who makes up these crazy names? Freddy Krueger? Jason? Believe it or not, this colorful little caterpillar is called a Smeared Dagger Moth caterpillar (Acronicta oblinita). Someone obviously had been been watching too many slasher or horror films.

Fortunately, it has another name—it is also called a smartweed caterpillar.

Posted in Humor, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Portraits, wildlife | Tagged Acronicta oblinita, Canon 50D, caterpillar, Smeared Dagger Moth caterpillar, Tamron 180mm macro lens | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on August 25, 2013 at 8:40 am | Reply Stephanie

Another amazing shot Mike!!
- on August 25, 2013 at 12:54 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Stephanie. A lot of luck and a little skill in this case.
on August 25, 2013 at 9:10 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I’ll be watching the smartweeds for it. It doesn’t look smeared to me.
- on August 25, 2013 at 12:53 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  The names they give are a bit wild. Last year I photographed a bug called the Twice Stabbed Stink Bug!
  - on August 25, 2013 at 1:09 pm New Hampshire Garden Solutions
    
    That’s funny!
on August 25, 2013 at 10:08 am | Reply uthamz

Stunning shot !
Congrats, Mike !!

utham
on August 25, 2013 at 10:32 am | Reply nliakos

What a beautiful caterpillar!
on August 25, 2013 at 11:23 am | Reply Scott

Gorgeous.
- on August 25, 2013 at 12:51 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Scott. The caterpillar was in a location where I had a clear shot and I was happy it came out this well.
on August 25, 2013 at 3:16 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

Amazing, love the photo. I have subscribed to your posts so I can keep on the information that I find invaluable.
on August 25, 2013 at 4:18 pm | Reply Sue

Psychedelic! This one must be poisonous. Nice, crisp shot, Mike.
- on August 25, 2013 at 6:29 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sue. Some of the sources that I looked at said that this was a stinging caterpillar.
on August 25, 2013 at 5:03 pm | Reply Bella Remy Photography

Your bug photos are truly amazing ! What great finds you have. this guy is like something from mars. 🙂
- on August 25, 2013 at 6:30 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Bella. I try to keep my eyes open when I am in the marsh and it’s amazing what I manage to discover sometimes.
on August 25, 2013 at 6:57 pm | Reply enmanscamera

Nice shot Mike. But your comment on it’s name was the best part….I am still laughing.
- on August 25, 2013 at 7:07 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Last year I photographed a stink bug with an even stranger name–the Twice Stabbed Stink Bug. The same guy probably named it who named the Smeared Dagger.
on August 26, 2013 at 2:30 am | Reply lylekrahn

These little creature shots keep getting better.
on August 27, 2013 at 12:08 am | Reply krikitarts

What a palette of color–it’s as if someone turned a couple of little kids loose with finger paints and did a mirror-image of half of what they came up with. Superb detail, Mike.