The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This slug caterpillar rejoices in the name Stinging Nettle Caterpillar. I wasn’t aware of that when I picked it up yesterday to move it to a better position. I know it now - ouch! Those spikes have very thin stinging hairs attached, as if the appearance weren’t enough to put predators off. I’d never seen this larva before; but apparently it’s well known to foresters, who try to eradicate it, as it’s a bit of a pest. It’s even been found in the Boston area of the US, but hasn’t taken hold seriously outside of Asia. Visually I find it fascinating. I took some documentary shots, but thought it also deserved this more esoteric treatment. The flower is a Morning Glory.
Specific Feedback
I took a couple of stacks, but this single shot came out better. The light was fading so I used a high ISO. Could the overall effect be improved?
Technical Details
OM1 + 60mm macro 1/100 f18 ISO 6400 diffused flash
Tonalities adjusted in LR, Denoise, Highlights in PS, some sharpening, slight pale vignette added, cropping.
Critique Template
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Mike, you were brave to reach out and pick this guy up. Sorry to hear that you got stung. Not a good way to learn the nature of this creature. At first glance of the thumbnail before looking at the larger version, I was trying to make it the center of the flower, not a caterpillar. I like the flower he is on for a BG, I think it makes him stand out. This is a fine documentary photo of this little guy.
Holy Cow!! This thing looks like a medieval warrior! I love the semi-camouflage provided by the flower. I had the same first impression as @Shirley_Freeman. And now in the large view it makes me peer even more deeply at this fascinating thing. You managed a fine capture with wonderful lighting, color and detail, and I love the framing!
I’m sure we’d all love to see more of this guy in various poses and settings. (Maybe you could pick it up with chopsticks…)
Mike: When I first opened this I could not be sure what I was looking at until I read your description. I think this is a spectacular capture and very well conceived and worth the effort and pain. A thoroughly unique creature superbly presented. >=))>
This is utterly gorgeous, Mike. What a great composition and a cool looking caterpillar. Even if they’re a bit of a pest, I can’t imagine wanting to eradicate anything this neat looking. I did take the liberty of downloading and rotating this 180 degrees. See what you think:
@Diane_Miller , your wish is my command. I didn’t have chopsticks to hand, so moved it with an arm of my glasses onto a nearby wooden floor. Later I put it back in its original place. Here are 3 documentary-type shots. They show that my flash in the original posting actually made the caterpillar more yellow than it is. But I still liked the result, even if it isn’t “natural”.
Thanks, @Dennis_Plank. The fatter end is the head, so it is “sniffing” at the center of the flower. Those 2 brown dots are dummy eyes, which I imagine are there to fool the bravest of predators. If they were real eyes I’d definitely prefer your version!
It would be easy to assume you used AI to construct this bizarre thing!! It is incredible and I’m delighted to see it in different views. I think you have a wonderful progression in these last three.
I had to do some research and it seems the adult is very homely, but I hope you can document the change. And more importantly I hope you will recover well from the stings – it sounds quite vicious.
Its scientific name is Monema flavescens. For anyone interested in Limacodidae, here’s a link to some amazing images of these unusual larvae, taken by a photographer in Yunnan, China:
Amazing capture, Mike. I also had to read the description because I thought this little one was part of the flower. I like the first photo on top, the color contrast came out very well. I don’t usually move a subject, but I don’t think I would have the nerve to touch this one. Amazing what is out there that people like me never saw.
Thanks @Dean_Salman. Like you, I don’t normally move a subject - but I just had to get a decent shot of this one. I returned it (carefully!) to its original site afterwards.
I’ll echo all the above comments Mike! A wonderful looking critter. It looks to me like he is wrapped in a beautiful soft shawl. The spikes are definately a warning. Love the close ups as well!
I have run into the North American version of this type of moth which is known as the saddleback caterpillar. The spines contain urticating hairs which cause a burning or stinging sensation in the unwary. The original version is very nice and like everything in it as presented…Jim
