Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth

To capture the fascinating lifecycle of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar, position your camera near a 'tent' in the crotch of a cherry or apple tree during early spring. Because these nests are stationary, you can set up a tripod for a stable, close-up view. Use a time-lapse setting to document the growth of the silk structure over several weeks, which provides a mesmerizing look at insect architecture.

For the best action shots of the caterpillars, aim your lens at the main 'highway' branches leading away from the tent. They typically move in queues to feed three times a day: once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once after sunset. Using a camera with a high-quality macro lens and a fast trigger speed will help capture the fine detail of their colorful, hairy bodies as they march toward their next meal.

If you are looking to photograph the adult moths, use a light-trap method. Moths are highly attracted to ultraviolet (UV) light. Placing a white sheet behind a blacklight and setting your camera to a motion-detect or 'timelapse-at-night' mode will result in excellent photos of the cinnamon-colored adults. Since the moths are short-lived, the window for these shots is usually a brief two-week period in mid-summer.

Consider the temperature when setting your camera. Eastern Tent Caterpillars are sun-seekers; on chilly spring mornings, you'll find them huddled on the surface of the tent to soak up the sun. Position your camera on the south-facing side of the nest to take advantage of the best natural lighting and the caterpillars' preference for warmth.