Fuzzy Caterpillars Dangerous....

[Oneluckymom]

I never knew this. I always that caterpillars were harmless. Today I found a fuzzy solid black caterpillar crawling along and decided to put it in our bug jar with some rose clippings. I looked it up online to identify whether it was a moth or butterfly and read to use caution because some are poisonous and/or can cause severe allergic reactions....being a hypochondriac I began having the symptoms...!!

OMG....did any of you know this?

[Crazy8]

didn't know that - always thought the big black fuzzy ones were gypsy moths - we used to get TONS of them in our area when I was younger (now I guess they spray for them??).

[Oneluckymom]

I'm not sure the one I described IS poisonous but some caterpillars are. I was just shocked and now will NEVER TOUCH ONE.

[Michael]

Oh yeah, I know not to touch them as a kid. Those fuzzy hairs can sting. Here is an interesting story on hair being used as an insect protection: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/EyeHeal...ory?id=9458010

[daycare]

what really.....wow I did not know that, but I would never pick up anything I am a sissy la la....hahah

[Oneluckymom]

Daycare....I now think it's best to be a sissy lala....::

[Kaddidle Care]

didn't know that - always thought the big black fuzzy ones were gypsy moths - we used to get TONS of them in our area when I was younger (now I guess they spray for them??).

Big black fuzzy ones are not gypsy moth caterpillars. They are leopard moth if I recall correctly. http://www.hiltonpond.org/thisweek020608.html

Gypsy Moth caterpillars are sort of multi-colored.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/dec97/k5504-4i.jpg

I almost picked up an Io Moth Caterpillar once and one of the home-schooled kids down the block asked if it was a poisonous caterpillar. I had never heard of a poisonous one but the Io moth one can give a nasty sting like a bee sting.

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/fasulo/woodypest/images/iomoth.jpg

There's a great site for stuff like that - I think it's called name that caterpillar .com I hope it's still around.

Sorry for all the links but I sort of got into this stuff when my son was younger. He was quite the bug nut - and made me one too!

Anyone in NJ just has to go visit Insectropolis! It's awesome!!! We have a link to it on our website and I state that it's not just for boys! Something for everyone there. http://www.insectropolis.com/

[Sunshine44]

yep, you never touch a fuzzy catepillar!!

[Springdaze]

wooly bears are nice!

[Sunchimes]

I don't know about yours, but there is a black fuzzy one that is a stinging asp caterpillar. I picked up a pretty leaf when I was a kid and one was on it. I ended up in the emergency room and missed several days of school. I've been stung by scorpions, and compared to the asp, the scorpion was nothing.

They are more common in the spring and fall here, so I'm very careful not to have any leaves in my play area.

[Oneluckymom]

I don't know about yours, but there is a black fuzzy one that is a stinging asp caterpillar. I picked up a pretty leaf when I was a kid and one was on it. I ended up in the emergency room and missed several days of school. I've been stung by scorpions, and compared to the asp, the scorpion was nothing.

They are more common in the spring and fall here, so I'm very careful not to have any leaves in my play area.

OMG!! I am so glad I am aware of this!

[Kaddidle Care]

I found a good page with great photos of the ones you don't want to touch. And Crazy8 - I stand corrected. The Gypsy Moth is listed although the ones we have here don't look like the one in the photo. I've never been stung by one - nor have I had problems with the Teddy Bear Caterpillars we have around here.

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/nature/news-ten-creepy-and-colorful-caterpillar-hazardous-human-health

[Ariana]

wooly bears are nice!

Yes! I pick them up all.the.time! I think I still will since I've never had a problem in the past. Maybe I'll be more cautious of other furry ones though.

[3myjob]

WOW?!?! I DID NOT KNOW THIS...always found them and my brothers and I would keep them as a "pet" for a day and then let them go.

[lilcupcakes09]

Oh yes! My 6 yr old son stepped on one last summer in our yard in his bare feet, HORRIBLE experience for him, very very painful sting and left a mark where each hair stung him for almost a month. He couldn't walk on the bottom of his foot for 3 days. Never saw a catapillar that big in our yard before and haven't seen anymore since then. I was also stung by one in my younger years that hit my in the chin while riding a four wheeler-it was on a branch I ran over. Very painful!