Subject: New Otleans caterpillar
Location: New Orleans
May 1, 2016 2:04 pm
We’re walking down a sidewalk in the Garden District of New Orleans and there are tons of these caterpillars falling out of a tree. One got on my friend’s sock and when she pulled it off, she got stung. Any clues what it is?
Signature: Joelle
Buckmoth Caterpillar
Dear Joelle,
Thanks so much for resubmitting using our standard form. It really helps us to format postings correctly. This is a Buck Moth Caterpillar in the genus Hemileuca, and many caterpillars in the genus look similar. This is most likely Hemileuca maia, a species found in much of eastern North America. According to BugGuide: “Caution, caterpillars can inflict painful sting.” Since they were falling from the trees, they are most likely getting ready to pupate. Adult Buck Moths emerge and fly in the autumn.
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