Caterpillars ( Fuzzy Wuzzies )#2

Ok so here is the big suprise! Not all of the hairy and fuzzy caterpillars have irritating properties. So how can you tell which one has irritating properties and which one doesn't? Well you would have to know some of the species of butterflies and moths that have caterpillars that don't have the irritating properties in their hairs and the ones that do. You have to know what they look like. If you're not sure if the one you're looking at is fuzzy or has spines that's crawling on a leaf have irritating properties you should look it up in a field guide or even better don't touch it! :D

Here is a little list of some of the stingers and the non stinger caterpillars:

The Stingers ( bom bom BOM! LOL! ):

Puss Moth Caterpillar - Megalopyge opercularis

Saddle Back Caterpillar - Sibine stimulea

Buck Moth Caterpillar - Hemileuca maia

White Flannel Moth Caterpillar - Norape ovina

*Stinging Rose Caterpillar - Parasa indetermina

Hag Moth Caterpillar - Phobetron pithecium

Note the ones with the * next to them are the most obvious =)


The non-stingers ( I'm innocent! LOL! ):


Syacamore Tussock Caterpillar - Halysidota harrisii

*These are variable in color.

Imperial Moth Caterpillar - Eacles imperialis

Hickory Devil - Citheronia regalis

Cecropia Moth Caterpillar - Hyalophora cecropia

*This is the largest North American moth.