Male monarch on porterweed
This was something that I've never seen before. This caterpillar was eating its own frass (poop) as it was pooping. It came out one end and went right in the other. The weather has been very dry and the milkweed looks awful, so this caterpillar was probably desperate for a decent meal. I moved it to a young-ish, healthy-ish looking milkweed plant after taking this photo.
Habitat: Meadow
Sorry about all the gunfire in the video. It definitely ruins the natural ambience.
Video: https://vimeo.com/1012166365