Subject: What is this Horned Thing?
Location: East of Charlotte, NC
October 27, 2012 6:38 pm
I was pruning our shrubs today and this thing got on the back of my fingers and stung/bit me. It really hurts! Took some Benadryl but am curious as to what this thing is and if I will live until morning! lol!
Signature: Not a Bug Fan
Dear Not a Bug Fan,
You were stung by a Saddleback Caterpillar, Acharia stimulea, and you will live. Read How to Treat a Caterpillar Sting on WikiHow. We have never received a photo of the underside of a Saddleback Caterpillar before, Your example is a good illustration of the rationale for calling the family that the Saddleback Caterpillars belongs to, Limacodidae, the Slug Caterpillar Moth family.
