© All Rights Reserved

I didn't notice the frass until pulling up the photo later, but the insect makes its presence known right away.

© All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

That curved, upright bit of plant debris at the far left of the flower center is actually some sort of insect. I've seen it or something similar several times and wondered if it was an insect, but looking closely could never determine anything insect-like (eyes, legs, etc.). This time it definitely moved, and here it has raised up, giving a slightly better opportunity to know where insect ends and plant begins. Southern Indiana.

Likely a geometrid caterpillar, possibly with some flower parts attached for better camouflage.

Tags:   weird-looking insects insect insect on flower

© All Rights Reserved

To see this little one, I peeled back the petals it had pulled over itself. When finished photographing it, I put the petals back in place; it can reconnect its silk and be enclosed and hidden again.

© All Rights Reserved