Subject: Bright happy worm
Geographic location of the bug: Livermore, KY
Date: 02/20/2020
Time: 06:37 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: This pretty little worm was found on a tractor in the river bottoms of Livermore,KY. It was late summer, around the end of August when it was found. I have never seen a worm like this before and no one I’ve asked can identify it either. I’d love to know what this little guy’s species is!
How you want your letter signed: Curious worm lady
Dear Curious worm lady,
Your “bright happy worm” is a perfect example of the concept of “look but don’t touch” because it is a Stinging Slug Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae. We identified it as a Stinging Rose Caterpiller, Parasa indetermina, thanks to this image on BugGuide.