Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar (not an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar)
This fellow made his way across the bluestone recently. I gave him a pretty wide berth – close enough to get a photograph, far enough that his spikey hairs didn’t touch me as they are somewhat poisonous and will cause irritation.
Thanks to gsmith and Carolyn King who correctly identified this critter as a Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar. The original post incorrectly identified it as an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar.
Ms. King further notes ‘This is a Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar. American Dagger would have a pair of black “whiskers” about 1/3 of the way back, and wouldn’t have that row of dark-tipped “tussocks” down the middle.’
Gratitude for the clarification!!
Wikipedia reports:
Halysidota tessellaris, also called the pale tiger moth, banded tussock moth, and tessellated halisidota, is in the family Erebidae and the tribe Arctiini, the tiger moths.
Then, I noticed that nature had copied the pattern of his yellow starlike fur in green on the forest floor.
I have not at anytime seen this moth. Interesting . Is this wide spread in Pa ?
I’ve noticed a few yellow ones lately, several white ones. Wikipedia says that they are found east of the rockies. Locally, they might only visit places with leaves they like to eat.
I live in va and have seen at least a dozen of these caterpillars this year. This is the first season that I have seen them. I haven’t touched them but they have whiskers or a mustache. Kinda cute, but tons of cute things can be poisonous.
That is a Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar, not an American Dagger.
gsmith is correct. This is a Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar. American Dagger would have a pair of black “whiskers” about 1/3 of the way back, and wouldn’t have that row of dark-tipped “tussocks” down the middle.
Thanks to gsmith and Carolyn King who correctly identified this critter as a Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar. The original post incorrectly identified it as an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar.
Ms. King further notes ‘This is a Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar. American Dagger would have a pair of black “whiskers” about 1/3 of the way back, and wouldn’t have that row of dark-tipped “tussocks” down the middle.’
Gratitude for the clarification!!
I have found a couple of my milkweed. Check your milkweed. You can usually find them around the same time as monarchs.