These are all over the farm.
Not sure what they grow up to be when the cycle is complete, but it's always fun watching nature do its thing.
I do believe though that if you touch these, they cause a severe rash with raised welts. I seem to recall a childhood incident with one, but not sure if it was this.
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| Black Wooly Caterpillar |
I'm NOT going to take a chance and find out. I just left them alone, they weren't on any important plants, just on the weeds and grasses around the property.
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| Caterpillar |
Nature truly is amazing...
They turn into the Isabella tiger moth; rather a pretty wee thing... but, yeah, contact dermatitis is a hazard with woolly bears. Funny, when I was growing up we called them woolly worms; I like your name better.
ReplyDeleteReally? Thank you for that info!! Wooly worms huh? Yep, I grew up only knowing them as wooly bears that's funny. I love how the same things in other places have different names.
DeleteCome on. Touch it. I found one similar in my garden bed and the fur was spines. My baby daughter was bitten by a white furry one in Houston which I found out later was an asp. It just fell out of a tree while I was strolling her. It hurt her terribly so watch out for furry white ones.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Not gonna do it! ;-) I have heard of those white ones, haven't seen one, YET, anyway, but yes, hears those are dangerous too.
Deleteif they are all black with no stripes you are supposed to have a cold winter.
ReplyDeleteReally? I love old stories like that, there is knowledge in those old tales.
DeleteWhen in doubt; it's always best to leave well enough alone.
ReplyDeleteTop 10 Dangerous Caterpillars ................ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erDB78XlACQ
Why are Hickory Tussock (white) Caterpillars so irritating? http://biologybizarre.blogspot.com/2014/08/why-are-hickory-tussock-caterpillars-so.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=dangers+of+Caterpillars&biw=1280&bih=628&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CGAQsARqFQoTCIqcjfDS4sYCFUPVgAodRNcLlA&dpr=1.5
I'm going to call you the information queen. Thank you for these links. I always save them in my "farm" bookmarks on my system. Thank you! And yes, they are kind of scary huh?
DeleteI have had a run in with a similar beastie over here. I itched for days and days and days. And had a v attractive red welt.
ReplyDeleteCaution is definitely the smart option. They are beautiful though.
They have them down there? Yes, I seem to recall me having a raised red welt. And it stung and itched as well. They are pretty and it's neat to watch. Just from a distance, ha.
DeleteI wouldn't be touching it for love nor money. We get caterpillar on our citrus trees. When the kids were young, we would put a couple in a large jar and keep them fed till they turned into a cacoon and then we would wait for them to emerge as butterflies. It was a fantastic experience watching that cycle happen before our eyes.
ReplyDeleteNow that would be fun to watch the cycle. Might have to do that for ourselves someday. Very cool. You area great Mom! ;-)
DeleteThat last picture is just gorgeous but I am partial to purple. Great shots of all.
ReplyDeleteHa, thank you. Purple? I'll have to remember that. ;-)
DeleteYou took some beautiful photos!
ReplyDelete“Texas Insect Identification: Find Your Insect or Submit a Photo”: http://texashighplainsinsects.net/
Thank you and thank you for this link. I am putting it in my bookmarks folder. Thank you!!
DeleteMaybe we have different "wooly worms" here in Illinois. I've picked them up plenty of times with no problem.
ReplyDeleteReally? I guess there are some that are safer, I will have to do some research. I've love to pick them up but tend to err on the side of caution, ha.
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