My son found this caterpillar the other day, and thankfully he didn't pick it up. He usually catches bugs but we have always told him if has never seen it and doesn't know what it is, leave it alone. This time we are glad he did. This is a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar, and those hairs are poisonous on contact. For most people it ends up being just a burning sensation like poison ivy, but for those with sensitive skin could end up with nausea and swelling. You can also end up with an eye infection if you touch your hand to your eye area after touching one of these. They are numerous here in the northeast and live in some of the southern states. If you see one, leave it alone.

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Vaya con Dios

I had one drop out of the trees and down the back of my shirt collar one time. Everything you said that will happen is true. It was instantaneous. Luckily for me, the less severe reaction.

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Geoff. Since 1960.

I ate one right before reading this.


Thanks for the heads up, sir.

Around here they are a greenish-yellow color, nasty little buggers.

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Don

Same build, but all black - worse. I had one get between my fingers when I was picking up my bike after a day in the woods when I was a kid.

In seconds I was swelling up. Went to the nearest neighbor, they didn't recognize me, and I was so swollen I couldn't talk. Glasses stretched to the point they broke. They recognized my bike, and called the MPs for help (long before 911 existed). Wound up in the hospital.

i remember in school some blank dropped one down the back of my shirt i got one heck of a rash and itching from one of those hairy spineny looking things

Good grief. I've never heard of such a thing. Thank you for sharing.

Suddenly the scorpions, rattlers and gila monsters around here don't seem so bad.

We had a local T V station post a warning about these. I saw one just this past Sat., so I know they are here. Several different colors apparently.

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wanna do right-- not right now

Is picking up caterpillars really a problem? I guess it is for the kids, but, while I'm grateful for the notice, there's not a snowball's chance I'd be picking one up.

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Freedom isn't free.

Small kids think furry things are cute. My dad warned me about hairy bugs a long time ago and it stuck, fortunately. We have Velvet Ants and Cow Killers out here, and I'm sure one day I'll be there in one of the more popular spots when a kid tries to pick one up. Just hope I've packed earplugs that day.

Picked one up once as a kid, once.

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one of the resurrected

I'll remember to wear gloves, then, when I'm putting him on the hook.

Thanks for the warning on these, David.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Seems to be no noticeable reaction to the bottom of my boot.

Never seen the white but I have seen the black fuzzy ones pretty often. I remember picking them up but no pain. Must be different black fuzzy ones.

Which is where they belong

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one of the resurrected