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Fuzzy green caterpillar (Io moth caterpillars)

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Io moth caterpillar
by: Moni

SG
There is some info on what to do if you scroll down towards the end of this site. Good luck...it will feel better eventually - not a chronic condition. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef003.
stung by caterpillar
by: S.G.

I accidently stepped on one of these green caterpllars tonight while barefoot. "Ouch" doesn't even cover the immediate feeling...or the continuing feeling. Any suggestions on how to treat this stinging between and under my toes?
Io moth caterpillar
by: Moni

Anonymous
Not sure if you have a caterpillar or are wanting to know what to do with one if you get it on your hibiscus?
If you have one on your hibiscus... They feed on a wide variety of plants other than hibiscus including birches, clover, corn, elms, maples, oaks, willows, roses, cotton, azaleas, palms, and even some grasses. If you have some of these plants nearby, you can move existing caterpillars onto other food plants.
Rearing moths from caterpillars is tricky...it is best to let Mother Nature do the rearing. If you want to rear it let me know and I will add the instructions here.
hibiscus AND caterpillar
by: Anonymous

is it possible to isolate this beautiful fuzzy green caterpillar and feed it hibiscus leaves and /or flowers until it becomes a butterfly? I will NOT kill it, I have several flourishing hibiscus plants that I have long nurtured to get to point they are.....
IO moth caterpillar
by: Moni

Colleen
If you copy and paste the bugguide info from the comment on the bottom of the comment page you will get the scientific name...click on info and it will tell you more about this insect.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/405
Genus species is Automeris io
Thanks for asking.
IO moth caterpillars
by: Colleen

I have seen several on my hibiscus bush. I'm glad I didn't kill them. I would like to know the scientific name of these insects.
Here in Hanover Virgina
by: Anonymous

I found one on a maple tree.
fuzzy green caterpillar eating jalapeno plant
by: Anonymous

I found the same caterpiller eating my jalapeno pepper plant and pooping all over my pot. I was able to remove him from the plant and did not get stung.
Thank you!
by: Bonnie

Thank you so much for identifying my caterpillar. I am happy to see what a lovely moth will follow. I think I will move them -- there are no leaves left on this hibiscus plant, so they need to find some more food anyway!

Thanks again for so quickly answering my question.

(Also, I have to comment: This site has the nicest interface for submitting comments and photos. I work in online product development, and I sent a link to our developer because what we are using is so much less functional and usable.)
Io moth caterpillar
by: Moni

Bonnie
Your beautiful caterpillars are Io moth caterpillars, one member of the Silk moth family.
They feed on a wide variety of plants other than hibiscus including birches, clover, corn, elms, maples, oaks, willows, roses, cotton, azaleas, palms, and even some grasses. Not sure if you have some of these plants nearby to get them to move onto.
They are not a pest...they will not kill your hibiscus. Please just let them finish their development.

The caterpillars stay in clusters early on, but go off alone as they mature. Your caterpillar looks like it may be mature and will leave the hibiscus soon to form a papery cocoon, usually in leaf litter. There may be up to four generations in the south(you are so lucky!!), but usually just one in the north(not so lucky for us up north!).

Caution: As you noticed the caterpillars may "sting" if handled. The larger the caterpillar the more intense the stinging sensation caused by the spines.
Here are some photos of the moths and other larva. Hopefully you may see the moths at lights at night soon!
http://bugguide.net/node/view/405/bgimage

So glad you checked on this one...it is a great insect to have....even tho you have lost a few leaves of your hibiscus....they will grow back.:-)

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