Poisonous Caterpillars

Commonly known as the larval forms of butterflies, caterpillars are a member of the order Lepidoptera. Most of these caterpillars are herbivores but some selective species are insectivorous, all of them being voracious feeders. Anatomically, caterpillars have a tubular segmented body, with three pairs of true legs on the three thoracic segments and up to four pairs of prolegs on the middle segments of the abdomen. They also have a single pair of prolegs on the last abdominal segment. Caterpillars have very good vision and they breath through a series of tiny openings along the sides of the thorax and abdomen, known as spiracles. Many caterpillars can detect vibrations of wings and other movements around them, for defense purposes. Like the variety in their appearances, habits and habitats, there is also a classification which depends on them being poisonous and non-poisonous. We here, will inform you about certain poisonous caterpillars which are very dangerous and their defense mechanism.

Caterpillars That are Poisonous

There are many poisonous caterpillars which belong to many species and each of them have their own unique defense mechanisms. But the caterpillars which are known to be poisonous in nature have a slight difference in their appearance. The ones mentioned in the following paragraphs are some of the most well-known poisonous caterpillars in nature.

Hag Moth Caterpillar
It is known as the monkey slug and is very easy to identify, as it is a full-grown brown and hairy caterpillar, which is 5/8 inch long. The third, fifth and the seventh pairs of its processes are generally twisted and thus is known as the hag. It feeds on foliage of trees like the dogwood, ash, apple, willow and the oak. It breeds in the months of August and September.

Saddleback Caterpillar
This is the most commonly found slug which can be identified without any information, even in its stages of development. It is a 1 inch long slug with a very prominent green saddle on the back of its dark brown body. It also has very prominent horns which bear spines for protection. This caterpillar is a very poisonous caterpillar and can create very severe problems on the body. It feeds on foliage of the above mentioned tress as well and is solitary too.

Puss Caterpillar
It is a one inch caterpillar which is densely covered with a woolly coat of soft brown hair and a tail like end in the back. There are several short poisonous spines which are present under these hair and they cause instant irritation when touched. This caterpillar however is not a solitary feeder and is found in groups feeding on leaves of the maple, oak and hack berry trees. The sting of this puss caterpillar is also more poisonous than the others.

Io Moth
The Io moth belongs to the giant silkworm caterpillars, which are leaf feeders and have numerous spines on their body. This particular type of poisonous caterpillar is light green overall with a narrow red band on either sides along with a white band under it. They are two inches long and are completely covered with branched and black pointed green spines. The Io moth is also a foliage eater and it feeds on leaves of the elm, beech, clover, apple, willow, corn and roses.

Stinging Rose Caterpillar
This caterpillar belongs to the slug type and is a yellow to red colored creature. It has red spines with black and blue stripes which run down the middle of its back. It also has very prominent poisonous spiny yellow horns in the front, rear and the center of the body. They also feed on the bushes and tree branches of the oak, bayberry and the sycamore trees.

With these poisonous caterpillars, I am sure your doubts about 'are caterpillar poisonous', must have been cleared. There are many more, but that was a small attempt to enlighten you with the most commonly found and the most dangerous poisonous caterpillars.