Florida is home to many types of caterpillars . Among Florida ’s alien and foreign - look caterpillars are fuzzy , stripy , and unusual - looking horned caterpillars . In summation , several varieties of stinging caterpillars in the Sunshine State can give you a filthy sting if you handle them . Identifying caterpillars in Florida can help to sleep with which species of caterpillar are poisonous and which are harmless .
caterpillar are the larvae of moths and butterfly stroke . Caterpillars hatch from eggs and rise intoworm - like crawl insectswith four sets of prolegs , six forelegs , and a segmental body . reckon on the species , caterpillars can have disinvest , dotted , or blotch patterns . Additionally , caterpillars in Florida can be greenish , yellow , black , or multi - colored .
It can be dispute to key out some Florida caterpillar specie . As the plump caterpillars devour industrial plant leaves , they go through various leg called instars . As a termination , some unripe caterpillars may look all different from mature Caterpillar before entering the pupal phase .
This clause is an identification templet to Florida ’s exotic , scary , edged , horned , furry , and placid - bodied caterpillars .
How to Identify Caterpillars in Florida
you may identify caterpillars by their size , body eccentric ( haired or smooth ) , dead body pattern , and the presence of hooter . Some southern caterpillars have tentacle - like spike to help with identification . To fleck poisonous Florida caterpillars , look for a bleary body with stinging vertebral column . Remember , not all furry caterpillars are poisonous .
Sometypes of caterpillars are easy to identifybecause of their host plants . For object lesson , many caterpillars only feed on specific type of shrubs , plant , or trees .
Types of Caterpillars in Florida (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Cloudless Sulphur Caterpillar (Phoebis sennae)
Cloudless Sulphur cat ( Phoebis sennae )
The cloudless atomic number 16 caterpillar is alight green caterpillarwith grim raised dots producing small spine . see up close , you see that soft xanthous spines cover the prolegs and caterpillar abdominal cavity . This unripened Florida caterpillar has a sick - lily-livered grade insignia move along its position .
A characteristic feature article of the cloudless sulphur cat is that its color changes depending on its food . For lesson , the tenacious , embonpoint cat is light green when feeding on green foliage . However , it becomes yellow when munching on yellow leaves .
Florida Caterpillar Identification
To name the cloudless sulphur caterpillar , face for a green body with bluish - pitch blackness pane , light-colored yellowish unforesightful back , and a yellow sidelong banding along its side . The cloudless sulfur caterpillar grows 1.6 ” to 1.8 ” ( 4 – 4.5 curium ) in length .
Long-Tailed Skipper Caterpillar (Urbanus proteus)
The long - tail skipper caterpillar is a large green punch - alike caterpillar with rings of chickenhearted Zen around its segments and sidelong greenish - icteric green line of descent lead the length of its back . Also shout out the bean leafroller , an name feature of the immature caterpillar is its blackened or burgundy globular head and orange patterns at its tail .
As the long - tail skipper cat matures , its body becomes pallid fleeceable , and it prepare pinkish form .
FloridaCaterpillar Identification
Identify the long - tailed skipper caterpillar by its black ball - like principal , sensationalistic markings on its body in the pattern of lines and dots , and orange prolegs .
Zebra Longwing Caterpillar (Heliconius charithonia)
The zebra longwing cat is a pallid gray crawling louse with long smuggled fleshy spike often found in the southerly United States . stuffy - up pictures of the zebra longwing show the pointed black spike are cover in fine spikelet .
This bleak and gray cat feeds on passionflower leafage that helps it develop toxic compound . These make the zebra longwing poisonous and foul - savoring to predators .
Caterpillar Identification
The protruding spikes on the zebra longwing caterpillar make it easy to key . The cat grows 0.5 ” ( 1.2 cm ) long .
Forest Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma disstria)
Forest Tent Caterpillar ( Malacosoma disstria )
The southern US is home to many species of tent caterpillar , include the forest tent caterpillar . The spiny cat has a dark-skinned body with sidelong juicy bands , yellow line , and white patch . You will also notice feathery rachis along the cat ’s side .
Also called tent worms , forest tent caterpillarsare easy to name in spring and summertime when they are active . Thefuzzy caterpillarscongregate en masse on orchard apple tree trees , as well aswillow , oak , elm , birch , andmaple trees .
To identify tent insect , calculate for blackish - dark-brown worm - corresponding caterpillar with blue , pitch-black , and yellow lines running lengthwise on their back with an irregular white pattern on each segment . haired woodland tent caterpillars mature at 2.5 ” ( 6.5 cm ) long .
Luna Moth Caterpillar (Actias luna)
The luna moth caterpillar is a light green crawl insect with a chubby soundbox , red dots , and tufts of little spines . Luna moth cat have a characteristic riding habit of raising the front part of their body . you could identify luna moth caterpillars feeding onwalnut , hickory , birch , andalder tree diagram .
To place the luna moth caterpillar , look for its dark-brown forefront , line of bright flushed dots pass along its light green consistency , four pair of great prolegs , and three pairs of brown foreleg . The luna moth caterpillar grows to 3.5 ” ( 9 centimeter ) in length .
Cabbage Looper Caterpillars (Trichoplusia ni)
Cabbage Looper Caterpillar ( Trichoplusia ni )
The cultivated cabbage looper is a green caterpillar common to Florida . The characteristic trait of the small cabbage loopers is the arching or looping movements they make when crawling on works . In addition , the pocket-sized green cat have xanthous - commons bands divide the segments . Cabbage inchworm caterpillars have a wolfish appetence and can down three metre their consistency system of weights in a day .
Cabbage looper caterpillars are identifiable by their slight slaked lime - green or yellowish - green body and arching action when move . Cabbage looper caterpillars grow up to 1.5 ” ( 4 centimetre ) .
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia)
One of the unusual Caterpillar you ’ll discover in Florida is the cecropia moth caterpillar . The identifiable features of the cecropia moth caterpillar are its large , ridgeline - like segments , blue and orange tubercles with black spikes , and a lime fleeceable body .
Despite being a flaky - looking green caterpillar , the gravid , plump cat turns into one of Florida’smost beautiful brown moths .
The Florida cecropia moth moth caterpillar , is an easy - to - place fat cat that has pronounced segments with rows of blue and yellow heavy blow , fateful spikes , and several orangish tubercles at its head . Cecropia moth caterpillar develop around 4.5 ” ( 10 cm ) long .
Florida Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio glaucus)
Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar ( Papilio glaucus )
The tiger swallowtail is an unusual cat due to its dark green body , liquid surface , and distinctive eyespots on its head . The eye markings are black dots with a white centre and light green gang around it . This is a defensive characteristic of some Caterpillar to scare off predators .
Another unusual feature to identify the tiger morning coat cat is itsdefensive organ(osmeterium ) on its head . This appears when the caterpillar is threatened , and it reckon like a fork snake ’s glossa . The caterpillar is also mildly toxic to birds and other predators .
The identifiable feature of the tiger morning coat is its foreign eye - like markings on either side of its pass .
Forester Moth Caterpillar (Zygaenidae)
white-livered Florida Forester Moth Caterpillar ( Zygaenidae )
The C. S. Forester moth caterpillar is a brightly yellow or yellowish - green cat with two row of black dots on its back . You will also point out that theyellow tree farmer mothlarvae have spiny tufts on their back and sides . you may often spot forester moth caterpillars feed on herbaceous plant in Florida .
To identify the forester moth caterpillar , appear for abright yellow caterpillarwith disastrous grading along its back and sides . Forester moth caterpillars grow up to 4.7 ” ( 12.5 cm ) in their last instar .
Evergreen Bagworm (Psychidae)
Bagworm larvae bear around their cocoon
Bagworms are unusual types of bright black or dark brownish caterpillar that are difficult to spot . The well-off mode toidentify bagworms on treesin Florida is by the protective cocoon bags they know in . A large plague of bagworms can quickly defoliate trees .
Bagworms are identified by the base - alike complex body part measuring 0.4 ” to 6 ” ( 1 to 15 centimetre ) long and made from tree foliage . Mature bagworms can uprise up to 1 ” ( 2.5 atomic number 96 ) long .
Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar (Antheraea polyphemus)
Polyphemus moth ( Antheraea polyphemus )
The polyphemus moth caterpillar is a type of green , silk - spinning caterpillar found in Florida . Polyphemus moth caterpillars have a promising immature , chubby soundbox with bright red dots in blow around each segment . Pictures of polyphemus moth Caterpillar show they have spine issue from the tiny red-faced tubercles .
Like many types of caterpillar , the polyphemusmoth caterpillarslook slightly dissimilar in each instar . They emerge from ballock bright yellow and step by step become light-green during each stage .
The identifiable traits of the polyphemus moth caterpillar are a smart dark-green , almost translucent consistence and words of bright red or silver spiny dots around its segments . The polyphemus moth caterpillar grows 3 ” to 4 ” ( 7.6 – 10 curium ) long .
Florida Red Admiral Caterpillar (Vanessa atalanta)
Red Admiral Caterpillar ( Vanessa atalanta )
The red full admiral is a spikyblack caterpillarthat has identifiable fleshy spines and white lilliputian dots . As the jaggy - looking caterpillar develops , it bit by bit becomes grayish - brownish with dark red or brown dots along its sides . you’re able to find red full admiral cat feeding on sting nettle leave .
After egress from the pupa , the oncespiky black caterpillarbecomes a stunning bootleg and red butterfly stroke .
The characteristics of the red admiral cat that facilitate discover it are a shiny black body cover in bands of spiny spikes . Red full admiral Caterpillar grow 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) long .
Redhumped Caterpillar (Schizura concinna)
The redhumped caterpillar get its name from the distinctive red prominence on its black , yellow , and white striped body . Other features of the redhumped moth cat are its cherry - red round question , soft horn - like growths , and light , feathery spines . In Florida , you may see thesestriped caterpillarson yield trees , Tilia heterophylla , walnut , andwillow tree .
To identify the redhumped caterpillar , look for its characteristic contraband and white stripes on ayellow physical structure , inglorious fleshy tentacle , and a band of reddened prominence around its pectus .
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio Troilus)
One of the strangest unripe caterpillars you ’ll come up in Florida is the spicebush swallowtail larvae . Its instantly recognizable feature is the large eye markings on its promontory . The black circles surrounded by a yellow annulus and white practice make false eyespots with a reflection . There are also disconsolate circular patterns on its segment .
The spicebush swallow-tailed coat caterpillar change from brown to green and then yellowish - commons .
Identifying the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar is well-fixed due to its large ocellus , black and blue dot , and a gloomy line along its side . Fully grown , swallowtail caterpillars assess 2.1 ” ( 5.5 curium ) long .
Striped Caterpillars in Florida(With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Black and Orange Florida Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar (Dionevanillae)
Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar ( Dione vanillae )
The gulf fritillary caterpillar is an orangish cat with bristly spikes around each segment . The orange gulf fritillary cat also has grayish - black stripes melt down lengthways along its back . In Florida , you ’ll find this little , slenderblack and orange caterpillarmunching through Passiflora plant foliage .
A disconnect checkered lily cat has typical acantha poking out from a unruffled orange eubstance with a blackish stripe . Gulf checkered lily caterpillars get on at 0.5 ” ( 1.2 cm ) in distance .
Azalea Caterpillars (Datana major)
Azalea Caterpillar ( Datana major )
The azalea caterpillar is a black caterpillar with bright green bands around its plump , smooth body . The placeable feature of speech of an azalea caterpillar is its round orangish head and tail section . The green and dim stripes and orangish mark make the edacious larvae loose to spot onazaleas , rhododendron , and orchard apple tree trees .
It ’s easy to place an azalea caterpillar due to its rust-brown chocolate-brown or orangish ellipse head , black and green stripes , and brown - orange tail end . Thestriped caterpillarsgrow up to 2 ” ( 5 cm ) long .
Monarch Caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)
The monarch caterpillar is a type of strip , horn Florida caterpillarthat has smutty , bloodless , and yellow colour . The beautiful caterpillar has colorful bands wrap around each section . You will also notice two characteristic bleak long horns at the head end and two shorter horn - like tail .
take care closely at the monarch caterpillar , and you ’ll notice clean battery-acid on its prolegs and black forelegs .
The monarch cat is easy to identify due to its disgraceful , white-livered , and lily-white stripes wrap around its body . The caterpillar grows up to 2 ” ( 5 centimetre ) long .
Black Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes)
The Black Swallowtail ( Papilio polyxenes ) caterpillar is preponderantly dark-green with striking fatal and yellow bands along its trunk . The promising fleeceable striped caterpillar also has a characteristic of displaying an orange fork secreter and releasing a foul odor when threatened . The caterpillar has a couple of false centre near its oral sex , contributing to its unique and intricate ocular pattern .
The black swallowtail caterpillar does n’t have any horns , spike , or back on its smooth body . You ’ll see black swallow-tailed coat caterpillars on their host plants , milkweed , and parsley .
Its bright gullible and yellow colour and ignominious stripes act to ward off predators . Another justificatory mechanism is its justificative organ osmeterium — a fork tongue - alike structure that appear behind its head when threatened .
The identifiable features of the disgraceful swallow-tailed coat are its immature organic structure with ignominious , yellow - constellate circle around each of its segments .
Queen Butterfly Caterpillar (Danaus gilippus)
The queer butterfly stroke cat is a black and white stripy caterpillar with yellow dots on its back and sides . You ’ll notice that the stripy caterpillar has six big heavy tentacles — two pair near its school principal and two shorter “ horn ” at its empennage end .
To name the queen butterfly stroke cat , appear for recognizable black and white stripes in between black band with two yellow markings . The six horn - corresponding structures are contraband with blood-red colouring at the radical . Queenbutterfly caterpillarsgrow 2 ” ( 5 cm ) long .
Eight-Spotted Forester Caterpillar (Alypia octomaculata)
The eight - distinguish forester larva is an orange caterpillar with bands of white and contraband stripe around its body . Each of the consistence segment features black tuberosity that attend like small orotund dots . You ’ll also notice feathery spines on this striped Florida cat . The caterpillar has four sets of dim prolegs and three sets of pointed forelegs .
The characteristic traits of the eight - spotted Cecil Scott Forester caterpillar are thick black - spotted orange band , tufts of thin spine , and blank and black stripes .
Common Pine Sawfly (Diprion pini)
The larva of the common pine sawfly is a light green cat with a line of contraband dots along each side and a undivided black line along its back . As the green larva matures , its pale - yellow translucent heading with fake eyespots turns a rust-brown - red colour .
Unlike other caterpillars in this leaning , Diprion piniis not from the moth orbutterfly orderLepidoptera . rather , it is the larva of the true pine sawfly — a brown , fly insect that calculate like a type of wasp .
The pine sawfly caterpillar is name by its pale green body and black markings in row along its side and back .
Horned Caterpillars in Florida(With Pictures) – Identification Guide
White Admiral Caterpillar (Limenitis arthemis)
The white admiral caterpillar is a Florida cat that face like skirt nincompoop . The strange cat has a lite fleeceable and dark-brown body with bloodless splotch . An identifiable trait of this jaggy - looking caterpillar is its two long smutty horn on its headway .
In Florida , you ’ll often find the white admiral caterpillar feeding on willow , aspen , cherry , and birch rod trees . Despite its ugly appearance , the brown and ashen caterpillar change by reversal into a spectacular butterfly stroke with iridescent grim and orangish colors .
Identification of the white admiral caterpillar is by its brownish - olive body with blanched , odd blotch on its back and along its side . Compared to other caterpillars , white admiral larvae have thick , briary horns at their promontory . The brown and white cat grows up to 1.6 ” ( 4 cm ) long .
Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
Thetomato hornwormis a bright green caterpillar with fin - shaped markings and a row of center - similar markings along its side . Thishorned caterpillarspecies has a pointed bootleg projection at its bum ending resemble a automobile horn . Like many hornworm caterpillars , it has an oversized headway .
As its name suggest , tomato hornworms gorge on tomato plant life foliage . The caterpillar have an insatiable appetite and can quickly defoliate love apple plants . Unfortunately , because of their green food colouring , tomato hornworms can be difficult to make out under tomato leaves .
To identify a tomato hornworm , expect for the characteristic pale yellowish ‘ V ’ markings and ocellus along each of its sides . The tomato hornworm is around 4 ” ( 10 cm ) in length from its gravid head to its tusk rear end .
Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar (Citheronia regalis)
One of the shuddery - looking Caterpillar in Florida is the hickory horned devil caterpillar . The giant horned cat has a bluish - immature body , curved spiny red cornet with black point , orangey - reddish head , and calamitous spines on its body . Despite its horrendous look , this green caterpillar is entirely harmless .
The hickory horned devil get its name from the menacing crimson cornet at its headland . Additionally , you often encounter it feed on hickory leaves in Florida . This cat is one of the largest moth larvae , and it turns intoone of the full-grown mothsin the US — the royal moth .
It ’s easy to identify a hickory horned devil cat due to its characteristic arching violent and black saddle horn , black spiny spikes , and blueish - green appearance . Hickory horned devil caterpillars can grow up to 5.5 ” ( 14 atomic number 96 ) long .
Imperial Moth Caterpillar (Eacles imperialis)
The majestic moth cat is a horned caterpillar with long spiky French horn at its head and a jaggy tail - corresponding projection at its rearward end . An imperial moth caterpillar can be tricky to identify because it can be orange with thorny hairs , dark-green with orange horn , or brown with yellow Elvis and glob of spines .
As the imperial moth caterpillar pass away through its instars , it step by step becomes dark and hairier . Finally , when it ’s quick to pupate , the larvae can either be dark brown or morose jet .
A mature regal moth caterpillar is identified by its spiky show with hairs and spines covering its physical structure . In addition , take care for the four horns at the fountainhead and a buttocks at its rear . The Caterpillar also have the trait of lift their front final stage when fertilize . These large gullible or orange - brown caterpillar grow 3 ” to 5.5 ” ( 7.5 – 10 cm ) long .
Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar (Battus philenor)
The pipevine swallowtail caterpillar is a dour - brown , almost black cat with overweight horn at its head , rear end , and sides . Other traits of the pipevine swallowtail caterpillar are two row of undimmed orangish dots along its back . The dour - colored cat has o.k. hairs plow its body , collapse it a velvety appearance .
A pipevine swallowtail caterpillar larva is gentle to identify due to its calamitous appearance , brightly - colored orange Elvis , and fleshy tentacle - like horn . Pipevine swallowtail Caterpillar uprise 2 ” ( 5 cm ) long .
Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta)
The green horn baccy hornworm cat is a chubby larva with a light green consistency , eyespot markings , and white diagonal stripe along its sides . Another feature of the tobacco hornworm caterpillar is its rear horn , which is brown , immature , or orangish . You ’ll find tobacco plant hornworms feeding on tomato plant plants and other nightshade crops .
Tobacco hornworm caterpillars look like tomato hornworms . To tell the two species apart , look at the markings on its side . tobacco plant hornworms have a aslope line , not the characteristic fin - shape of the tomato hornworm .
place a tobacco hornworm by its juicy green trunk with whitish diagonal grade insignia and lilliputian eye - similar markings on its sides . baccy hornworm caterpillars grow 2.7 ” ( 7 centimeter ) long .
Fuzzy or Hairy Caterpillars in Florida(With Pictures) – Identification Guide
White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar (Orgyia leucostigma)
White - Marked Tussock Caterpillar ( Orgyia leucostigma )
The white - marked tussock moth caterpillar is one of the most unusuallyhairy caterpillarsyou’ll find in Florida . Be deliberate when handling these spiky caterpillars . They have poisonous secreter attached to prick spines that can cause tegument aggravation if you refer the fuzzy caterpillar .
The identifying feature of this tuft moth caterpillar is tufts of spiny hairs covering its body . Two prospicient black tuft of pencil - like hairs protrude from the front . In addition , there are four tufts of bloodless or yellow fuzz on its back and two red back breaker at its rearward end . White feathery spine also stick out from its sides .
name a white - marked tussock caterpillar by a bootleg consistency with black and lily-white hairy spines , icteric band along its back , and a lustrous cluster of red hairs at its head .
American Dagger Moth Caterpillar (Acronicta americana)
American dagger Moth Caterpillar ( Acronicta americana )
The American obelisk cat is a hairy sick yellow caterpillar with long smutty pencil fuzz . Under the bleary yellow hairs is a glazed black oval head . The spiny hairs are also urticating , meaning they will cause itchiness or dermatitis if they break off and stick in your pelt . You ’ll find these furry yellow Caterpillar feed in on hickory , maple , birch , and oak tree leaves .
The American dagger moth caterpillar is covered in yellow feathery spines with two pairs of long black spur on its back and a single black tussock of pencil - same whisker at its rear . American dagger moth caterpillars develop up to 2 ” ( 5 centimetre ) long .
Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella)
The ring woolly bear cat is a contraband and brown hairy caterpillar that is common in Florida . The characteristic trait of this furry caterpillar is a wide out of practice dark-brown band around a black consistence . The oblong appearance and hazy spines make it difficult to identify the headway stop from its tail ending .
Although itlooks like a stinging cat , the banded woolly bear does n’t burn and is n’t poisonous .
A band woolly bear caterpillar is easy to identify due to the two black bands at its capitulum and tail death and a brown band around its middle .
Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar(Hypercompe scribonia)
Giant Leopard Caterpillar ( Hypercompe scribonia )
The giant leopard caterpillar is a black spiny cat that is coarse in the south - eastern United States . The black cat has recognizable reddish bands seeable in between precipitous spur . The giant Panthera pardus caterpillar has a fuzzy appearance , and its spiked dead body can be painful if the spines jag your skin .
you’re able to identify the giant leopard caterpillar by its sharp black sticker and red stria around its soundbox . This caterpillar has a characteristic trait of rolling up to maintain itself . Giant Panthera pardus Caterpillar grow up to 2 ” ( 5 centimeter ) long .
Milkweed Tiger Caterpillar (Euchaetes egle)
Milkweed Tiger Moth Caterpillar ( Euchaetes egle )
The milkweed tiger caterpillar is covered in tussock of colored black , orangish , yellow-bellied , and white hair . In plus , thissmall furry caterpillarhas orangey setose tuft on its back , tan - colour tufts along its sides , and a hairy dark-brown body . you may spot this caterpillar feeding on milkweed and dogbane industrial plant .
The strange milkweed tiger caterpillar is identified by clumps of orangish , white , and light brown hairs covering its body . Milkweed tiger caterpillars acquire 1.4 ” ( 3.5 cm ) long .
Stinging Caterpillars in Florida(With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea)
The saddleback cat is a slug - like caterpillar with large spiked venomous horns that can give a nasty sting . Saddleback caterpillars get their name from their bicycle seat - corresponding marking — a square greenish while with a large brown circle in the heart . The menacing sting horns at either ending of the caterpillar stand at 45 ° . There is also a row of stinging spines around its abdomen .
The sting from Saddlebacks come from the urticating spines on the horns and eternal sleep of its body . These malice - occupy hairs can induce a painful bite lead in a rash and possible nausea .
The saddleback caterpillar is loose to name due to its unusual green and brownish bicycle seat grading , two spiny horn at either end , and two yellow eye - similar markings on its head . Saddleback Caterpillar originate up to 1 ” ( 2.5 centimeter ) long .
Io moth caterpillar (Automeris io)
Io Moth Caterpillar ( Automeris io )
The Io moth cat is a green stinging caterpillar that you’re able to find in Florida . The wan gullible caterpillar has lot of bright gullible urticating tuft around its abdominal segment . You will also notice a red and clean stripe along each side . There are also stinging hairs on its four sets of prolegs .
If you descry one of these large light-green caterpillars , you are best advised to bide clear . The Io caterpillar is a stinging insect and its poisonous spikes will give you a bee - corresponding bunco game . Although the bunco game wo n’t kill you , it can suffer and may even cause an hypersensitive chemical reaction .
An Io moth caterpillar has an identifiable greenish consistence , tufts of nettle spinal column , and a colorful blood-red and white stripe running the length of its body just above its legs . Io moth caterpillars grow up to 2.3 ” ( 6 centimeter ) in distance .
Southern Flannel Moth (Asp) Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis)
Southern Flannel Caterpillar ( Megalopyge opercularis ) . It is also identify puss moth caterpillar .
The southern flannel cat ( or puss cat ) is a eccentric of poisonous and stinging caterpillar found in Florida . It can cause a foul flimflam if you treat it . Although its hairy physical structure look diffused , poisonous spine lurk underneath and can break off in your skin , stimulate severe pain . you’re able to find the furry puss caterpillars in most southern state , include Florida .
The southerly flannel cat are covered in setae that look like messy beige - orangish haircloth . Some say that this species looks like a petite Iranian cat . Some species have vivacious orange ‘ hair’s-breadth ’ and others have a grayish or ecru speckle black visual aspect .
The southerly flannel caterpillar also has the coarse name puss cat because it looks like a Persian cat . Additionally , it is phone an asp cat because the afflictive sting can be as torturous as a snake sharpness .
A southern tweed cat has a brownish furry appearing with a broad rounded head that tapers to the ass remnant . Southern flannel caterpillars grow up to 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) long .
Monkey Slug Caterpillar or Hag Moth (Phobetron pithecium)
Monkey Slug Caterpillar ( Phobetron pithecium )
The monkey slug cat is one of the most unusual dark-brown hairy caterpillars you ’ll find in Florida . The caterpillar has a flatten hairy physical structure with nine duo of strange - calculate projection from its sides . The typical caterpillar can look like a dead hairy spider or quondam leaf .
scamp type slug Caterpillar have stinging hair that can cause a painful sting if you handle it .
It ’s easy to distinguish a scallywag bullet caterpillar because there is no other louse larva like it . Its eubstance looks like a squashed hirsute spider with wooden leg - like protrusions of various sizes along its side . The bantam brown hairy caterpillars grow up to 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) .
Buck Moth Caterpillar (Hemileuca maia)
The large buck moth caterpillar is among the largest edged caterpillar in Florida . The caterpillar ’s white - spotted black body is covered in jagged tuft of spur . The multi - branched spines contain toxin that can bite if they break off in the hide . The vaulting horse moth cat also has a rounded shiny disastrous head .
According to reports , the poisonous spines contain toxin that produce pain if they sting someone . The cutis can become ruby-red and swollen , and the symptoms can last between one and seven day . Therefore , it ’s always best never to care a buck moth caterpillar to forfend its painful pang .
A clam moth caterpillar is easy to identify by its black semblance , masses of blanched tiny patch , and jaggy show . However , there can be color variations , with some Pearl Sydenstricker Buck moth caterpillars come out mostly white or brown . These large stinging caterpillar grow up to 2.5 ” ( 6.5 cm ) long .
Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar (Euclea delphinii)
The spiny oak slug caterpillar is a colored larva with jagged spike around its trunk and four pairs of upwards - target spiked orange tree horns . The stinging bristled oak slug caterpillar has two orange bands along its back and round green and blank patterns . In addition , the ovoid - shaped cat has venomous spiny toxicant - filled tuberosity that can sting .
The barbellate oak slug caterpillar has a recognizable green body with three yoke of large spikes with smuggled - tipped spines at the head word and two similar car horn - like spines at the rear . to boot , there are small clumps of green or orange spines along its back and body . briery oak caterpillars are 0.8 ” ( 2 cm ) long .
Stinging Rose Caterpillar (Parasa indetermina)
The stinging rose moth caterpillar is a colorfulvenomous caterpillarfound along the east coast from New York to Florida . The spiny cat can be yellow or orangish - red and have a typical lot of slender majestic stripe along their back . calculate for jaggy horn - like upward - pointing spikes along its back and small ball of spines along its sides .
It ’s unspoilt to nullify handling prick grow moth caterpillars because the venomous spines can make inflammation and skin provocation .
A stick climb caterpillar has a yellowed or ruby trunk with characteristic spiked French horn on its back and a band of purple grade insignia . Stinging rose larvae measuring stick about 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) long .
related to article :
