One of the best parts of gardening is just taking time to observe the activity of nature. The list of gardening tasks can be long: planting, weeding, watering, mowing, picking, pruning, and the list goes on. But in between all the activity, I enjoy slowing down to observe all the life in my garden.
This week, when I slowed down to look, I noticed a big fluffy caterpillar making itself at home in my lamb’s ear. It was tempting to run my finger along the fuzzy hairs of the caterpillar, but I have listened to my entomologist friends long enough to know that is not a smart move. Some caterpillars can sting!
We have a few stinging caterpillars in Texas, and it’s wise to know what they look like in case you are tempted to touch the cute, fuzzy things. These caterpillars have urticating hairs or spines that are connected to a poison gland. If you brush up against the hairs, they can stick in your skin and inject a poison, resulting in a rash or potentially worse symptoms like nausea or respiratory distress.
The buck moth caterpillar is brownish black with multi-branched spines in rows along the body. Io moth caterpillars are green or yellow with a pink or red line along their body. This caterpillar has clusters of yellow or green spines along the body.
The saddleback caterpillar looks so unusual! It looks like a brown caterpillar with a bright green middle and a brown saddle-spot riding on its back. Each end of the caterpillar has two large tubercles with spines coming out of them.
The asp looks like the softest, most touchable caterpillar, but it is the most toxic! These are about one and a half inches long and shaped like a teardrop. Asps have silky, long hair and are usually tan.
Fortunately, these stinging caterpillars rarely cause much damage to our plants. If you find one in your yard or garden, just observe these unique caterpillars from a safe distance. If you do happen to touch a stinging caterpillar, gently remove the spines with tape. An ice pack and oral antihistamine should help relieve the symptoms but seek care if you experience a more serious allergic reaction.
I am amazed every day at the diversity of life in nature. It’s so fun to take time to enjoy all the plants and critters in our outdoor spaces, even if you occasionally do see an alien-looking stinging caterpillar!
For more information about lawn and garden topics, contact Kate Whitney, Extension Horticulturist for Williamson County, at 512-943-3300.
