Smeared Dagger caterpillar

In Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America—the best book imaginable on the subject—University of Connecticut author and ecologist David Wagner positively qvells about a group of moths collectively known as Daggers, Acronictinae in Latin. "Acronicta caterpillars are marvelous animals—the warblers of the temperate caterpillar world, colorful, diverse, and somewhat elusive—and once a hand lens is swapped for binoculars, they appear more beautiful still," Dave, whom I count as one of my mentors, writes. Amen to that. I spotted this one munching on a Pickerel Weed leaf while I was scanning the millpond shoreline for odonates, and there was no discounting its attractiveness. After a little bit of very pleasant study, I identified it as Acronicta oblinita, the Smeared Dagger, and, happily, Dave concurred. In the book, he noted that no one really knows why the larva is so colorful. Whatever the reason, it is a "favorite among caterpillar aficionados and nature photographers." Add my name to that list.