Promoted
Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar - Lophocampa caryae
We frequently see these in the northeast. They especially seem to like small bridges that cross streams. My kids know to look before grabbing the railing because these caterpillars are so common.
Caterpillar that is completely covered in black and white setae. They have black tufts along the middle of their dorsal surface, and four long black hairs (two at the front and two at the back). The longer bristles on the Hickory Tussock Caterpillar are barbed, urticating hairs that contain irritating secretions. Urticating = HURTicating.
Habitat: Mixed forest
"Lophocampa caryae", the hickory tussock moth or hickory halisidota, is a moth in the family Arctiidae. Like most species in its family, the caterpillars acquire chemical defenses from their host plants. The behaviour and aposematic coloration of the larvae also suggests chemical protection in this stage, although they have not been analyzed for alkaloid or cardenolide content.
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