Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Beautiful little furball caterpillar, but what is it?
Location: Campbellton, N.B. Canada
September 9, 2011 4:01 pm
Admittedly I am scared of many insects but yet at the same time strangely compelled by their beauty. But I love this website and your dedication is amazing. This guy was found in northern New Brunswick, Canada the beginning of September. He almost looks like a bumble bee but we were curious what he is & what he might turn out to be. Here’s hoping you can help us out because I didn’t see anything on the first half of the pages. There’s also another one of something I saw hopping along the ground on what looked like a tail, he has a body that looks like a skinny slug,and he was found in Halifax, NS, Canada. First time seeing something like that, so got curious about that too.
Signature: Fraidy cat bug admirer

Dear Fraidy cat bug admirer,
This Tiger Moth Caterpillar is known as the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata, and it is found in many parts of North America.  According to BugGuide, the Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar feed on the :  ” leaves of poplar and willow, but also feed on alder, basswood, birch, maple, oak.”  Your other insect is a harmless Crane Fly.