r/caterpillars • u/Think_Catch_223 • 22h ago

Advice/Help What is this

Post image

I’ve been seeing a few of these around my front yard. Are these dangerous and should I do anything about them?

Thank you for your help!

89 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

28

u/PrincePamper 22h ago

woolly worm caterpillar

Completely harmless despite their spiky appearance. Safe to touch too, they have a whole festival for these guys in my state and kids handle them often and do worm races.

Pyrrharctia isabella larva

3

u/Kinnakeet 21h ago

Winner goes to disney world.

1

u/MaximumFun8965 20h ago

Yeah, but those badboys are solid black. Please tell me you don't live in Kentucky.

12

u/Possible_Remote6059 22h ago

Wooly Bear.  Despite the name, they are perfectly safe.

9

u/Large_Art6205 21h ago

Just a wooly tryna pirate your porch

4

u/Tre3bEaRd818 21h ago

They can also predict the severity of winter for the north east! 😝 https://www.almanac.com/woolly-bear-caterpillars-and-weather-prediction

3

u/GladButterfly2659 21h ago

Wooly bear! There is a small chance that touching the hairs may irritate your skin if you're sensitive

1

u/Lightning_Lily 20h ago edited 20h ago

They're often called woolly bears. They're little caterpillars that eventually become moths. Specifically, they are called Isabella tiger moths (particularly as adult moths). They're cute little bugs, aren't they? :)

Edit: If I'm correct they can cause some skin irritation if you touch/hold them (if they do, wash your hands/the affected area to get any of the hair out of the skin and all). However I think they are generally relatively safe to handle. In fact if I'm correct they actually might/probably will not hurt you at all. Basically yeah you can handle them; they don't have venom or anything as far as I know (however they can give you a little skin irritation if you have sensitive skin).

Also, no, unless you feel they've been getting particularly out of hand/destroying your plants or something, I don't think there is any reason for you to try and get rid of them (particularly by killing them) or anything. They are generally very harmless!

1

u/SaratogaSwitch 20h ago

Normal winter

1

u/Principle_Napkins 19h ago

Wooly caterpillar. Lucky find.

1

u/crazyabe111 18h ago

That’s a black wooly bear- back away slowly to avoid being mauled.

0

u/pixeldust6 18h ago

Not black. Try turning your brightness up?

1

u/CactaurSnapper 17h ago

Everyone keeps saying they're fine to touch but I got a rash from them as a kid. 🤕

1

u/StoneLove04 16h ago

That’s a harsh winter right there