I love to photograph insects with cool or unusual names, like this caterpillar known as the Smeared Dagger moth caterpillar (Acronicta oblinita). Who makes up these crazy names? (Photographed on Monday at Huntley Meadows Park.)
One of my other favorite names is the Twice-stabbed Stink Bug (Cosmopepla lintneriana). Yes, that’s a real insect. You can’t just make this stuff up, or maybe you can.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a beauty. Those pure, vibrant colors at least would make identification easier, even if the name is a little mysterious.
I hope I have it identified correctly. I see it each year about this time and always have fun with the name. In this case a little girl excitedly pointed it out to her Mom and I was able to take advantage of her sharp eyes.
Fantastic shot Mike: vibrant, crystal clear, heaps of detail!
Thanks, Chris. A little girl pointed out the caterpillar and I had the luxury of being able to change lenses and frame the shot. Other than the fact that a breeze kicked up periodically, it was almost and ideal situation.
That striking coloration should make it look very toxic to a potential predator, like a poison arrow frog or, similarly, like the very venomous sea snake.