This tropical jewel moth, Acraga coa, is found mostly in Central America. Jewel moths undergo a spectacular transformation: from translucent larvae covered in protective goo to vibrant fuzzy fliers.
Photograph by Mark Moffett, Minden Pictures, National Geographic Creative
Bright green blue-nose caterpillars, Acharia ophelians, rest on a leaf.
Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawsk, National Geographic Creative
The African moon moth, Argema mimosae, is one of the 'giant silkworm moths'. This species has no mouth parts, so during its short adult life, it has only one purpose: mating.
Photograph by Joël Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark
The luna moth, Actias luna, displays its 'defensive eyespots'. The moth's long tails befuddle the sonar of their greatest foe—bats.
Photograph by Amy White & Al Petteway, National Geographic Creative
A mulberry silkworm in the early stages of knitting a cocoon. It takes roughly 2,500 to 3,000 silkworm cocoons to make one yard (0.91 metres) of silk fabric.
Photograph by Cary Wolinsky, National Geographic Creative
The atlas moth, Attacus atlas, is native to Southeast Asia, southern China, and India. A giant among moths, it has a wingspan of nearly 25 to 30 centimetres (10 to 12 inches).
Photograph by Tim Lamán, National Geographic Creative
The colourful and spiky ornaments protruding from the back of this cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia, caterpillar aren’t just for looks. The lumps—called tubercles—are likely a defense against predators.
Photograph by Joël Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark
After emerging from her cocoon (left), this female cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia, rests to let her wings dry before taking flight. With a wingspan of up to 15 centimetres (six inches), cecropia is the largest moth native to North America.
Photograph by Darlyne A. Murawski, National Geographic Creative
A looper moth, Macaria occiduuaria, flies in Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon. As a caterpillar, the moth lacks a middle set of legs, which forces it to' inch' along and form loops with its body, earning it the common name looper.
Photograph by Michael Durham, Minden Pictures, National Geographic Creative
Before spinning its cocoon, this wasp moth caterpillar sets up rings of fuzz to keep predatory ants at bay.
Photograph by Mark Moffett, Minden Pictures, National Geographic Creative
A wasp moth, Ctenucha virginica, from Cross Lake, Minnesota. Though most moths are nocturnal, this species is one of the few that flies during both the night and the day.
Photograph by Joël Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark
This puss caterpillar is irresistibly cute, but you'll regret it if you pet it. Beneath that furry overcoat is a bed of spines laced with a toxin that can cause intense pain, vomiting, and respiratory stress.
Photograph by Mark W. Moffett, National Geographic Creative
This stinging saturniid moth, Automeris metzli, caterpillar shows its stinging hairs in a defensive display in the Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica.
Photograph by John Cancalosi, National Geographic Creative
The tussock moth caterpillar comes in an array of brilliant colours. This is a warning to predators to steer clear—some tussock moths cause skin rashes, while others are toxic to eat.
Photograph by Christian Ziegler, National Geographic Creative
Unlike the vibrant defence mechanisms of many moths and caterpillars, this little one capitalises on camouflage.
Photograph by Ingo Arndt, Minden Pictures, National Geographic Creative
