2010 Season Caterpillar Gallery

Too few people ever realize the natural wonder that Massachusetts’ biological systems have to offer, instead they assume that real biological diversity only exists in the tropics or other far away places. Yet our native flora and fauna are diverse and anything but mundane. Since childhood I have sought to identify and catalog the many species that inhabit our green spaces, from the smallest vacant lots to the largest wildlife refuges. This quest has provided me with a unique education in the natural history of New England.

In the fall of 2008 I began photographing caterpillars. These larval insects demonstrate a diversity of morphology and behavior better than perhaps any other group of animals in this region, and yet, they remain relatively unknown to even the most dedicated of naturalists. Through my photography, and through documenting the life histories of the species I find and raise, I hope to share some of what I have learned about the quality of our native biome.

In ages of exploration, drawing and painting were important tools used to document new discoveries. Old illustrations of insects regularly depict the subject and its food source alone on a page, isolated from background distractions. However, the desire to visually record an insect’s behavior and life history often infused these images with life and motion, and many artistic and powerful compositions resulted. These classical natural history pieces are the source of my inspiration. Isolated against a black background, the caterpillars are conspicuous and sculptural. Further, each species is shown upon its native hostplant and each composition aims to tell a story about its subject’s unique natural history.

Prints for Sale

All images displayed below are available for sale as high quality, archival, Giclée prints. Additional caterpillar prints are also available. For orders or for additional information please feel free to contact me by email at spjaffe at gmail.com. Each photograph is printed by the artist and comes signed on the back along with the name of the insect pictured. *Pbase hosted images lack the intensity and saturation of the actual photographs - higher quality photograph examples available by request through email.

32x17 threeachemon/threeswallowtail archival Giclée print on Baryta Fine Art paper.

25x17" archival Giclée print on Baryta Fine Art paper.

19x13" archival Giclée print on Baryta Fine Art paper.

Copyright © Samuel Jaffe. All rights reserved.