Hairy caterpillars come up in a variety of captivating forms , each showcasing singular colour and feature of speech . The yellow - pick out tussock moth caterpillar , with its sheer black and yellowish patterns and prominent tufts , contrasts crisply with the pallid tussock moth caterpillar ’s dark-green - yellow torso and assume crimson tuft . Meanwhile , the fox moth caterpillar sports a vibrant orange back decorate with smuggled hairs , and the Virginia ctenucha caterpillar displays a creamy white-hot body with bright red accent mark .
Above are just a few deterrent example of hairycaterpillar species . To search 21 more mintage of haired caterpillars and their identifying characteristics , please continue translate the article .
Different Types of Hairy Caterpillars
Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The yellow woolly bear caterpillar ( Spilosoma virginica ) is named for its bronze - brown tufts that give it a sonant , blurred appearance . Its woolly hairs can be yellowish - brown , golden - brown , black , orangey - red , or dark yellow , depending on its habitat , and it can get up to 2 inches ( 50 millimetre ) long . Though the spiky hairs do not sting or contain spitefulness , they can induce skin irritation if handled without gloves .
The yellow woolly bear caterpillar is name by its tussock of sensationalistic or orangey - brownish hairs covering its brown - tan body .
Garden Tiger Moth Caterpillar
The garden tigermoth caterpillar(Arctia caja ) is adorned with pilus - like spines on its bootleg , orangish , and gray hair’s-breadth , resembling a Erinaceus europeaeus or porcupine . Its long bootleg and dreary white-haired spur , though subdued in appearance , can irritate the skin if manage . Predators find these caterpillars toxic . Upon transformation , they become strike moths with black , blanched , and orange wing patterns .
The garden tiger moth caterpillar is easily identified by its mordant and orange - hairy soundbox , adorned with long greyish spikelet .
Walnut Caterpillar
The walnut caterpillar ( Datana integerrima ) is a hairyblack caterpillaradorned with long , whitish - grey , wispy spikelet . Its cylindrical torso reaches up to 1.1 inches ( 30 mm ) in length and is non - irritating to touch , making it secure for humans . These caterpillars are known for their substance abuse of congregating in large mathematical group . They often defoliate pecan , butternut , hickory , andwalnut tree , sometimes handle branches with their lank hairs .
Identifying feature of the walnut caterpillar include its slender , worm - like black consistency covered with thin whisker that bring it a fuzzy appearance .
Monkey Slug Caterpillar
Themonkey slug caterpillar(Phobetron pithecium ) is notable for its dense covering of hairs , bring in it one of the hairiest cat . This brownish , hairy larva is a unique mintage , also have intercourse as the hag moth caterpillar . Its golden - brown soundbox is flattened , resembling a squashed spider , with 18 curled , hirsute projections .
scallywag slug caterpillars typically ramble from 0.6 to 1 inch ( 15 to 25 millimetre ) in length . The caterpillar ’s black - tan hair can cause allergic reactions and skin temper upon striking , highlighting their distinctive and potentially troublesome characteristics .
The rapscallion slug caterpillar stands out due to its distinctive appearance . With nine duet of curved , hairy brush - corresponding jut , it is easily recognizable as a shaggybrown caterpillar .
Salt Marsh Moth Caterpillar
The table salt marsh moth caterpillar ( Estigmene acrea ) is a brownish , hairy larva with lenient , sharp - looking spines ranging from tan to dark brown . These bristles do not bite but may cause skin vexation . grow up to 2 inches ( 50 mm ) long , it features a plump , cylindric body adorned with a row of orange wart and white dots . This caterpillar feeds on Glycine max , cabbage , cotton , andtomato plant life .
Identifiable by its slender , dark dark-brown consistence with a distinctive row of grim or orange spots along its abdominal cavity , the common salt marsh caterpillar is commonly find in waterlogged habitats .
Hickory Tiger Moth Caterpillar
The Hickory Tiger Moth caterpillar ( Lophocampa caryae ) is discover by its white , haired body with diamond - shaped fateful blueprint along its back , resemble those of the hickory tuft moth . It has tufts of black pilus and a rounded glossy head typical of tussock caterpillars . These caterpillars grow up to 1.7 inch ( 45 millimetre ) long and are brood in barbed spines that can make skin discomfort . They feed on pecan , walnut , hickory , willow tree , and other deciduous Tree .
Recognizable by its lily-white body with tussock ofwhite hair and typical disastrous stripes , the hickory Panthera tigris moth caterpillar stands out for its striking coming into court .
Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The band woolly bear caterpillar ( Pyrrharctia isabella ) is a come upon creature covered in black and orange hairsbreadth . Its body features a inglorious centre with a wide orange band , and it has six legs , a small bootleg head , and 13 segment hide beneath its duncical coat . Despite its fuzzy show , the caterpillar ’s spiky hairs can do peel discomfort and itching .
This caterpillar eventually transform into the beautiful Isabella tiger moth . Known also as the woolybear or woolly insect , this cat can grow up to 2 inches ( 50 mm ) farsighted and often rolls into a ball when imperil .
Sycamore Tussock Caterpillar
The sycamore tuft caterpillar ( Halysidota harrisii ) is renowned for its classifiable long hairs at both ends , which is unusual for a white hairy cat . Its yellow - orangeness chief and dead body are cover in white bristly hairs . While it wo n’t prick , the spiky tufts can devil your skin if handled .
This caterpillar is usually find oneself on the Americansycamore Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Identifiable by its hairy white body and two long orangish hair’s-breadth tufts at each end , the sycamore tuft caterpillar can grow up to 1.1 in ( 30 mm ) long .
Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar
The band tuft moth caterpillar ( Halysidota tessellaris ) is a downy , grayish cat with retentive disastrous hair tufts at each end . It has a classifiable inglorious stripe down its back and an orange principal blot out beneath its hairs . establish on birch , ash , alder , oak , andwillow trees , these caterpillars seldom harm tree or shrubs , despite their leaf - masticate habits .
The caterpillar is identifiable by its six long contraband lash and two scant blanched tussock . The ring tussock moth caterpillar can grow up to 1.37 inches ( 35 mm ) long .
American Dagger Caterpillar
The American dagger caterpillar ( Acronicta americana ) is easily describe by its yellow - whitish , haired appearing . It has a burnished fatal head and two exercise set of long black tussock on its abdominal cavity . Although non - venomous , its hairy body can cause skin irritation . deal this caterpillar may feel like being burn , as its irritating hairs can break off and stimulate itching .
From July to October , these cat are discover on oak , birch , elm , and maple farewell . After pupate , the cat transform into a gray-haired American obelisk moth . Notable characteristic let in its pale - yellow , shagged body and pair of foresighted black setae on its back .
Sycamore Moth
The sycamore moth caterpillar ( Acronicta aceris ) is a strikingyellow caterpillarwith brilliant orange tufts and white Department of Transportation covering its body . It features orange - yellow hairs , a dark head , six prolegs , and a short body . These non - stinging caterpillar , which produce up to 1.5 inches ( 40 mm ) long , are usually institute on sycamore and buck chestnut trees .
renowned identification features include pyramidal tufts of orange - yellow hairs and a row of white dots along its back . Despite its brilliant appearance , this caterpillar does not posture a menace to man or its host Tree .
Milkweed Tiger Moth Caterpillar
The milkweed tiger moth caterpillar ( Euchaetes egle ) is a typical , haired caterpillar covered in black , white , and orange tufts . Also known as the milkweed tussock moth , it becomes more orange as it matures . These caterpillars can grow up to 1.3 inch ( 35 mm ) long and are known for skeletonizing leaves , often damaging milkweed and dogbane plants . The chemical in Sonchus oleraceus sap make these hairy Caterpillar poisonous to birds and other predator .
Key designation feature film let in their black , orangish , and white tufts . Despite their harmful effects on plants , they play a role in the ecosystem by supporting the lifetime cycle of the milkweed tiger moth .
White-Marked Tussock Caterpillar
The clean - marked tussock caterpillar ( Orgyia leucostigma ) is easily recognizable by its distinctive appearance . It feature four white toothbrush - like tufts on its slender yellow and shameful physical structure , numerous red dots , and foresightful pencil hair at both goal . Yellow bar along its mordant body are another distinguishing equipment characteristic . Though non - edged , its spiky tufts can have a stinging star if handled due to low barbs that may embed in the skin .
This unusual - looking caterpillar is widespread inFloridaand is often found grovel on various surfaces . Its classifiable features include the four bushy white tuft on its back , yellow stripes , and wispy white and black back .
Southern Flannel Moth Caterpillar
The southerly flannel moth caterpillar ( Megalopyge opercularis ) is one of the fluffiest cat , featuring lite brown hairs that conceal venom - meet spines , give it a deceptive and potentially harmful appearance . Thisstinging caterpillarranges from golden brown to dark gray and can grow up to 1 inch ( 25 mm ) long . It is also known as the pussy moth , Italian Vipera aspis , fire caterpillar , woolly slug , and Vipera aspis caterpillar due to its delicate , silklike show and sting nature .
The southerly flannel moth caterpillar is easily recognizable by its delicate , tangle halcyon - brown hairs .
Virginia Ctenucha
The Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar ( Ctenucha virginica ) has a creamy white organic structure hide in white and yellow hairs , with a red head and reddish prolegs . It grows between 0.8 and 1 in ( 20–25 mm ) long and transforms into one of North America ’s orotund wasp moth after pupation . In some stages , it can also be identified by its pitch-dark body with a livid banding on each side .
Recognizable by its white and yellow haircloth tufts , the Virginia ctenucha caterpillar place upright out with its unique coloration and marking .
Yellow Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar
The Yellow Spotted Tussock Moth caterpillar ( Lophocampa maculata ) stand out with its striking smuggled and yellow coloring and distinctive white pilus pencil on its blue jet - black ends . These cat , often found on bush and tree , are also known as yellow woolly bear due to their blurry appearing . They grow up to 1.1 inches ( 30 mm ) foresightful and sportsman hairy yellow and black tussocks .
Identified by its yellow and black hair with white-hot tufts at both ends , the yellow - spotted tussock moth larva is easily recognizable in its habitat .
Fall Webworm
Fall webworms ( Hyphantria cunea ) are hairy , either white or pale - chickenhearted caterpillars with lean , off-white filament , known for their destructive habits on shrubs and trees . These caterpillars commonly ramp up tent - like social structure where they reside , well identified by their rounded , shining black or crimson heads . During autumn , their large nest hang from tree branch , housing the fuzzy white larvae that can grow up to 1.37 inches ( 35 mm ) long . After pupate , these lissom , haired worm transform intobeautiful whitemoths .
The screw thread - corresponding hairs covering the slender , bootleg , or dark brown bodies of the fall webworm are typical features .
Pale Tussock Moth Caterpillar
The Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar ( Calliteara pudibunda ) is a yellowish - green , hairy larva adorned with black band along its body , typical of tussock caterpillar . It feature tuft along its back , with a prominent ruby tuft of lashes at one end . When it is coiled , its black stripes become seeable .
These caterpillars grow between 1.5 and 1.7 column inch ( 40 and 45 mm ) long and can exhibit crimson , light-headed brown , or unripe coloration depend on their degree . Bright yellow tufts of setae , pitch-dark grade insignia , and a visualise tuft of hair pencils at the rearward end distinguish the Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar .
Fox Moth Caterpillar
The Fox Moth caterpillar ( Macrothylacia rubi ) display a brilliant Orange River back adorned with black tomentum and orangish grading . Growing up to 3 inches ( 8 cm ) long , it features a classifiable pitch-dark and orange color . This caterpillar transforms into a large , fuzzy moth with a beautiful burn color . It give on various plant life , including shrubs , flowering perennials , birch rod trees , willows , and beans .
Identified by its haired black torso and vivid orangish stripes along its back , the Fox Moth cat is easily recognizable in its environment .
