Subject: stinging caterpillar
Geographic location of the bug: Malaysia, Kuala-Lumpur
Date: 10/15/2017
Time: 05:56 AM EDT
Hi, recently I was in Kuala-Lumpur and had a trip to forests. Occasionally I grabbed a tree on my path, but on other side of the tree there was a bunch of hairy caterpillars. They stinged my hand with their small pikes. And now fingers of my hand swallowed and itching. Do you know is that specie dangerous?
How you want your letter signed: Dorzhi
Dear Dorzhi,
These sure look like Lappet Moth Caterpillars in the family Lasiocampidae to us. According to the University of Auburn agriculture page: “Larvae of some groups within the family are reported to cause irritation when handled, apparently from contact with urticating setae.”