Caterpillar of the Week: by Artist Gail Schellinger

CATERPILLAR OF THE WEEK: This week’s caterpillar comes to us from artist Gail Schellinger. What an awesome creature she has created! We hope to post more caterpillar art as time goes on -- we love seeing all the different ways that caterpillars have inspired people.

Most of a caterpillar's colors and textures are geared towards defense. What defensive adaptations do you see this caterpillar sporting? I think those spines and tufts look pretty threatening. And the skull design may put off an already wary predator. I can't help but try to identify this beast. Perhaps it's an Apatalodes from an alternate universe?

Gail, whose work can be seen on Facebook at "Painted Pets by Artist Gail Schellinger" noted that she has recently been finding inspiration from Facebook groups such as “Mothing and Moth Watching” and we are glad she is! Personally, I can’t think of a group of creatures that is better suited as models for fantastical and flamboyant artistic creations!

Thanks for your work Gail. To other closeted caterpillar artists out there, we would love to see more examples of caterpillar art on this page. Please consider posting some in the comments.

- Sam Jaffe TCL Executive Director

Each week (or at least SOME weeks!) The Caterpillar Lab features a "Caterpillar of the Week." Each featured caterpillar is a species we've raised at our lab in Keene, NH. We hope you enjoy meeting the caterpillars of New England!