Caterpillars are the larval stage for a moth or butterfly, between egg and adult. As they grow they shed several times before the pupation phase where they develop into their adult form. Here’s something I had to look up: moths make cocoons; butterflies make chrysalises.
I find it fascinating that the coloration of caterpillars often bears no resemblance to the the appearance of the adult moth or butterfly. The designs are intricate, but sometimes I don’t see the detail until I’ve managed to take a good photograph and then zoom in. Like here.
I believe that this is a Salt Marsh Moth caterpillar on a Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) leaf. The older instars (larval forms) have long black hairs.
A few weeks ago I posted about a pair of mating Salt Marsh Moths that were in the garden, so to find youngsters here is hardly a surprise. Here’s a photo of those adults.
Rewilding My Lot 
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