Comments for
Caterpillar Dressed in green (Saddleback caterpillar)

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SADDLEBACK
by: Moni

Chris
That was an old remedy mentioned for bee stings...glad to hear that is still recommended and that it worked!
Thanks for letting us know
Sting treatment
by: Chris

I was stung yanking down dried merliton vines without gloves in New Orleans. My daughters ran and called their pediatrition who suggested making a quick paste of MEAT TENDERIZER &WATER and apply it to sting. It disolved the stinger.
saddleback
by: little red

I got stug today july 26th 2010 I found it on my corn and i hurt so bad i got sick and my arm started to swell i put cold water on it and it seemed to help a little
Saddleback caterpillar)
by: Bob Fremin

I was stung by 2 of them one on the forearm and one on the leg abouve the kneee. This is a painfun sting that does last 30 minutes or so . I was weeding my agrden and they were on the leave sof St Joseph lillies.....
I photographed one!
by: Anonymous

Two years ago, a friend of mine brought one of these to me on a leaf so I could photograph it. It is so strangely beautiful! Until today, I didn't know anything more about it. Thanks for your post, I can say, "Thank goodness, neither of us tried to touch it." Smiles, Dane Ann
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.

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