The arrival of Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillars in our backyard is a signal of summer nearing it’s end as they become pretty active this time of year, feeding on the leaves of our white walnut tree. Their tufts of soft-looking, hairlike setae might encourage you or your children to want to touch them but resist the urge! These hairs have microscopic barbs that if they come in contact with your skin can cause a mild to severe allergic reaction. Yikes. I’m so glad that when I was taking photos of this one yesterday I heeded my Inner Girl Scout’s warning to look but do not touch.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I heard that some cats are toxic to human if we picked them up when I was a kid and I believed them but a few months ago I didn’t think that was true, I was just thinking my neighbor was just trying to scare me until you said that.. He must have cared about me lolol
That is a beautiful cat I am looking up to see what it turns into
I would never have thought they would cause reactions, either. Definitely a surprise to me, too. When I found out, my husband said “You’d better put that on your blog!” just to be safe and possibly warn others. By the way, it does turn into a pretty moth. Did you find the picture?
Yea I did
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Lophocampa-caryae
Great! Thank you for sharing that link with us!
I didn’t know that! Thanks for the alert!