Comments for Caterpillar Dressed in green (Saddleback caterpillar)
headerphoto


Comments for
Caterpillar Dressed in green (Saddleback caterpillar)

Click here to add your own comments

Saddleback caterpillar
by: Moni

Anonymous
It is probably getting ready to pupate.
there's one outside my door!
by: Anonymous

its been there for a few days but theres no plants of vegetation for it to feed on, i'm scared its forming an attack plan
Saddlebacks can occur in big groups
by: Anonymous

Every year I find saddlebacks on my dying lily stalks. Their colors camouflage them perfectly. I often find them in groups of 3 or more, ranging in size from large to tiny. So look out...if there's one there are likely more of them hiding!
Saddleback caterpillar
by: Moni

Sheri
Wow, two of them...I have never seen the real thing.
Guess we need to add green beans to their preferred food list!?!
Perhaps if you put on goat skin gloves you could get your green beans and not give Sid the chance to sting you or get your beans!
THank-you Moni
by: Sheri

Thank-you so very much for giving my "very mean" catapillar a name.By the way I once again picked green beans today and guess what? Oh yes, I was stung again..this time on the knuckle of my right hand and it is still throbbing. I has gardened for years and never encountered one of these. I have decided that I really don't want or need anymore green beans this year.."Sid Vicious" and his family may have them all!
Saddleback caterpillar
by: Moni

Sheri
Your photo is of a saddleback caterpillar.
These can sting as you found out. Sorry you found out the hard way to not pick it up.

Here is what the Virginia Extension Service says about contact with this caterpillar
It has poisonous spines on the four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller ones that stick out from the sides of its body. Contact with them causes a burning sensation and inflammation that can be as painful as a bee sting. The irritation can last for a day or two and may be accompanied by nausea during the first few hours. Usually the site of contact reddens and swells much like a bee sting.
A person "stung" by a poisonous caterpillar should immediately wash the affected area to remove any insect hairs and poison that remain. An ice pack will help reduce swelling, and creams and lotions containing steroids will lessen the discomfort.

The saddleback caterpillar is a general feeder. Food sources are many trees, shrubs, and grasses including apple, asters, blueberries, citrus, corn, dogwoods, elms, grapes, linden, maples, oaks, Prunus species, sunflowers and viburnums.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Insect Identification

Return to Caterpillar Dressed in green (Saddleback caterpillar)








Doug's Facebook Page