Nature Blows My Mind! Beautiful But Dangerous Caterpillars
By Jaymi Heimbuch, Treehugger, 6 December 2012.
By Jaymi Heimbuch, Treehugger, 6 December 2012.
Who would think that of all the things that could get you while out walking in the wild (or even the garden), caterpillars would be on the list? But sure enough, these critters have come up with amazing ways to avoid becoming lunch.
Some caterpillars will go to surprising lengths to protect themselves and their food from predators, including weaving giant webs as long as 20 feet that act like a safety tent. However, the more popular tactic is to become as garish and as poisonous as possible, and that includes hairs and spines that pack a toxic punch. The fact that something that seems so innocuous as a leaf-eating larvae could be such a poisonous piece of work is indeed mind-blowing.
1. Puss Caterpillar
Credit: ggallice
Let's start with the most surprising in both looks and toxicity. The puss caterpillar (also called southern flannel moth, pussy moth, tree asp, and asp caterpillar) looks more like a miniature tribble from Star Trek than a larvae, and is just begging to be pet. But it is far from being as cuddly as tribbles. In fact, if you were to touch the puss moth caterpillar you'd get the surprise of your life.
Poisonous spines hidden in the touchably fuzzy surface of the caterpillar will break off and lodge in the skin releasing venom into your system. From here, according to Baylor College of Medicine, "Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. Stings on the arm may also result in pain in the axillary (armpit) region. Erythematous (blood-coloured) spots may appear at the site of the sting. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, intense abdominal distress, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress. Pain usually subsides within an hour and spots disappear in a day or so - however, with a larger dose of the venom, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to last up to 5 days."
In other words, it is sooooo not worth trying to pet this fuzzy little guy - it is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America.
2. Saddleback Caterpillar
The saddleback caterpillar makes it easy for you to spot and avoid touching it with its ridiculously bright colouring. And trust me, you'll be glad for the help in seeing and keeping away from this think. The fleshy horns that sit puffy-piggy-tail-like at each end of the body are covered in hairs that secrete venom. Brushing up against them causes pain as strong as that from a bee sting, swelling, nausea and a rash that will last for several days.
Though the puss caterpillar wins for most venomous caterpillar in North and Central America, the saddle back comes in a very close second.
3. Stinging Rose Caterpillar
Credit: Megan McCarty/Wikipedia
Here is a caterpillar with a fantastic name, and an even more fantastic look. The Stinging Rose caterpillar, found in forests of the eastern US, is a mere one inch long and is brightly coloured. But what catches the eye more than the vivid yellows and reds are the spined tubercles jutting from its sides. University of Arkansas notes that the black tips on these spines release poison. If you touch one, the tips break off and will give you a skin irritation nearly on par with the Saddleback caterpillar.
Toxic but nonetheless important to its ecosystem, it (and the moth it turns into) is considered a species of conservation concern.
4. Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar
Credit: gothmoth/wikipedia
This caterpillar is much less of a safety concern, at least to us humans, though it will still cause a rash if you touch it. This is due to the spiny tuberclues along the back and sides with spikes known as ‘calltrop’ spines, found in three pairs of large horn-like spines at the front and two pairs at the rear. You'll typically find these 3/4-inch crawlers in oak and willow trees, as well as beech, cherry, maple and other deciduous trees.
5. Cinnibar Moth Caterpillar
Credit: Wikipedia
Some caterpillars gain their toxicity through the plants they eat. Such is the case with the Cinnibar caterpillar, which dines on poisonous ragwort. In fact, they eat so much of the plant that they were introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to help control the plant. While the plant is lethal to livestock like cattle and horses, the solution isn't without its problems too. The hairs of the Cinnibar caterpillar can cause rashes and, if you're particularly sensitive to caterpillar hair, it can even cause urticarial dermatitis, atopic asthma, consumption coagulopathy, renal failure, and intracerebral haemorrhage. In short, stay well away from both ragwort and the caterpillars that feed on it!
6. Pine Processionary Caterpillar
These are Pine Processionary caterpillars. They live as a group in large silk "tents" high up in pine trees and I think you can figure out how they got their name. They follow each other head to tail from nest down to pine needles to feed. And yep, they're off limits to human contact. Covered in loads of tiny hairs that are shaped like harpoons, touching them will cause serious skin irritation.
7. Bag Shelter Caterpillar
Credit: SeanMack
Similar to the pine processionary caterpillar, the bag shelter caterpillars live in a group in a silk bag, coming out at night to feed and following one another head to tail in single-file fashion. However, their health risk is far greater than that of the pine processionary caterpillar. In fact, these guys are considered a health hazard in South America. The venom that comes from their bristles is a potent anti-coagulant, meaning anything that is unfortunate to brush up against them is at risk of bleeding profusely (even to death) from the smallest cut, or from internal bleeding.
8. Io Moth Caterpillar
Ranging all the way from Canada down to Florida, the io moth caterpillar can be found all over the place. That's a good thing if you want to check out these quirky blobs of green with pom-pom spikes. But remember to look, and not touch. Those little spikes, as tiny as they are, have a venom that can cause painful itching or even dermatitis.
9. Hag Moth Caterpillar
If you thought the puss caterpillar was odd looking, check out this furry beast of a larvae. No, it's not a plush toy gone wrong, it's a hag moth caterpillar. It's also known as a monkey slug, and it is common to find in orchards. L. L. Hyche from Auburn University notes that "there are nine pairs of fleshy lateral processes which bear hidden urticating setae." In other words, touch it and you'll end up itchy and rashy.
10. Hickory Tussock Caterpillar
Credit: Gregory Dwyer/Wikipedia
These garish caterpillars look like they're dressed for winter in their fluffy coats. Most of the hair covering this species is relatively harmless, however there are four long black hairs - two in front and two in back - that you'll want to be wary about. Touching them can cause rashes or more serious medical problems if you manage to get the hairs in your eyes. And if their toxic hairs weren't bad enough, apparently they also bite. Furry, but not friendly.
11. Giant Silkworm Moth Caterpillar
Credit: Wikipedia
Don't say it didn't warn you with all those spikes. This caterpillar is not just called the giant silkworm moth caterpillar - it also goes by a shorter and more frightening name, the assassin caterpillar. Its spines are filled with an anti-coagulant venom so potent it has caused human deaths in South America. Just accidentally brushing against a group of these critters on a tree as you walk past can lead to effects of headache, fever and vomiting and if left untreated, can cause massive internal haemorrhaging, renal failure, and haemolysis. In fact, their venom is so potent they've been extensively studied by medical researchers for how to derive a pharmaceutical equivalent for preventing blood clots and other health issues.
12. White Cedar Moth Caterpillar
Credit: bidgee/Wikipedia
Here is a caterpillar that looks like something to definitely avoid. Resembling a tiny crawling cactus, the white cedar moth caterpillar is a regular nuisance. Not only do those hairs cause an itchy allergic reaction for some people when touched, but the caterpillars also live in large communities that swarm over a single tree at once, feeding until they eat every last leaf before moving on.
13. Buck Moth Caterpillar
Credit: dancingrabbit
Properly spiky, just looking at this caterpillar should be enough to deter you from touching it. Those hollow spines are attached to a poison sac, and touching them can not only make you feel and itching or burning sensation but can also make you nauseous. Beware of them crawling on oak and willow trees from spring into the middle of summer.
14. Carnivorous Caterpillars
While these caterpillars won't kill you, they will eat fellow insects - a decidedly different menu for usually vegetarian larvae. Had to toss this in since it's so creepy, and mind-blowing to think of a carnivorous caterpillar!
And remember, if you see a caterpillar that is very hairy or spiky, you likely want to avoid touching it until you can identify the species with certainty!
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