What is this caterpillar?
What is this? We found him on our picnic table last weekend at Burr Oak State Park near Nelsonville, Ohio. It is in the SE part of the state in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains (if that helps). We didn’t touch it becuase Mom read “stinging caterpillars” are fuzzy ones. Please help! Thanks!!!
Kyra and Ella Walker
Hi Kyra and Ella,
This is one of the Tussock Moth Caterpillars in the genus Halysidota. It is most likely the Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Halysidota tessellaris. While it is true that caterpillars with hairs and spines are sometimes stinging species, this is not one of those.
Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillars can sting! My 4 year old was stung by this caterpillar this past weekend. The sting hurts for while and then turns into an itchy swollen rash.
We live in Vermont and my husband got stung by one broke out with a very itchy swollen rash plus nausea. These are stinging caterpillars.
I got stung by one and have a bad rash from it