Can anyone identify this stinging pest?

kath · August 11, 2012

Although we've had blueberry bushes for decades, this is the first time we've seen this amazing creature. When you brush against it, your skin reacts the same as if you've touched stinging nettles. It's armed on all sides and I had trouble telling which end was which! Anybody know what it is?

kath

Cole_Robbie · August 11, 2012

http://www.arkinspace.com/2011/05/st...ed-states.html

RayR · August 11, 2012

Saddleback Caterpillar
That's one weird looking bug.

ginger2778 · August 11, 2012

I had them one year all over my Carambola star fruit tree. I wore gloves and threw them over the fence, after just a little screaming!!!

tjg911 · August 11, 2012

kath as a rule i never touch any caterpillars. anything with horns or spines i'd avoid and even hairy cats can be dangerous. so if i don't know what it is i never pick it up unless i am wearing leather gloves. there's several butterfly cats i recognize but i wouldn't disturb them by picking them up because i want them to be butterflies.

tom

kath · August 11, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjg911

kath as a rule i never touch any caterpillars. anything with horns or spines i'd avoid and even hairy cats can be dangerous. so if i don't know what it is i never pick it up unless i am wearing leather gloves. there's several butterfly cats i recognize but i wouldn't disturb them by picking them up because i want them to be butterflies.

tom

Sounds like a good rule to follow, especially after reading a bit about stinging caterpillars in the US in the link above. DH was the one who had the misfortune to come in contact with this guy- accidentally. Thankfully, his reaction wasn't severe.

kath

Ken4230 · August 11, 2012

If that is in my garden, it has two choices: Leave or Die. I will even transport it to a safer place for the both of us if I can. The bright colors tells me that it shouldn't be around my grandbabies.

I don't bother butterfly caterpillars(and most other animals) if they don't get too greedy. I have a yard full of toads and lizards. They are well fed, I bring them red worms pretty regular.

August 11, 2012	#5
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	kath as a rule i never touch any caterpillars. anything with horns or spines i'd avoid and even hairy cats can be dangerous. so if i don't know what it is i never pick it up unless i am wearing leather gloves. there's several butterfly cats i recognize but i wouldn't disturb them by picking them up because i want them to be butterflies. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

August 11, 2012	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	http://www.arkinspace.com/2011/05/st...ed-states.html

August 11, 2012	#3
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	Saddleback Caterpillar That's one weird looking bug.

August 11, 2012	#4
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I had them one year all over my Carambola star fruit tree. I wore gloves and threw them over the fence, after just a little screaming!!!

August 11, 2012	#7
Ken4230 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western Ky Posts: 282	If that is in my garden, it has two choices: Leave or Die. I will even transport it to a safer place for the both of us if I can. The bright colors tells me that it shouldn't be around my grandbabies. I don't bother butterfly caterpillars(and most other animals) if they don't get too greedy. I have a yard full of toads and lizards. They are well fed, I bring them red worms pretty regular.