Caterpillars of the US north-east – in pictures

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Since he was a boy, New England-based naturalist and photographer Samuel Jaffe has been fascinated by caterpillars. From 2008, he has been photographing as many different local types as he can, capturing the survival techniques and defensive adaptations of these remarkable and beautiful creatures.

His work and passion has resulted in the Caterpillar Lab, an educational, non-profit organisation promoting the diversity of caterpillars of the American north east.

An exhibition of his work, Life on a Leaf Edge, is taking place at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, until 27 September, 2015

Samuel Jaffe

Fri 10 Jul 2015 03.29 EDT Last modified on Fri 29 Oct 2021 07.53 EDT

• Sphinx chersis on ash, found in downtown Boston. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Oligocentria lignicolor on scrub oak. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Ceratomia amyntor hanging from a branch of dead elm leaves. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Schinia nundina on goldenrod. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Dasylophia anguina on false indigo in full defensive posture. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Sphecodina abbottii on grapes. This species is a remarkable mimic throughout its life cycle. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Alypia octomaculata on a grape vine found on an old stone wall along a country road in Medfield, Massachusetts. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Hyalophora cecropia on buttonbush. This caterpillar will turn into North America’s largest species of native moth. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Lytrosis unitaria on a twig Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Eupithecia Pug on blue vervain. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Top row: three colours of Eumorpha achemon on grapevine.Bottom row: three varieties of swallowtail caterpillar – Papilio glaucus, polyxenes, and troilus. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Phosphila turbulenta on greenbriar found in the swampy lowlands of Millis, Massachusetts. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• All photographs: © Samuel Jaffe

  Cerura scitiscripta on willow leaf. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Sam Jaffe introduces children to the world of caterpillars at the Boston Children’s Museum as part of the Caterpillar Lab programme.

  Photograph: R.L. Jaffe

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