CLOSED: White fuzzy caterpiller

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peony1066 Sugar Land, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 22, 2010

I've already posted this on the Texas gardening thread. No one knew what it is. I'm overrun with these things. I'm mostly concerned if they sting. The will eat anything. Philodendrons, cosmos, brugs, lilies, grass, etc.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jun 23, 2010

The most likely suspect is a yellow bear (Spilosoma virginica); Lepidoptera: Erebidae; subfamily Arctiinae - see http://tinyurl.com/2d22wej for an example. These caterpillars are extremely variable in coloration; varying from nearly white to nearly black, including yellow, orange, and brown.

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peony1066 Sugar Land, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 23, 2010

Their "fur" isn't in rings, like that, though Suunto. Does that make a difference?

I'll see if I can catch one and get a better description/photo of it.

This message was edited Jun 23, 2010 9:37 AM

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jun 23, 2010

The appearance of 'rings' (body segments) will vary depending on the attitude of the caterpillar. In the example I provided, the segmentation was exaggerated by the caterpillar's posture. See http://tinyurl.com/2gy7reh for another one where this is not so apparent. However, if you can get a closer and clearer image of yours, it might at least help remove doubt as to its identity.

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peony1066 Sugar Land, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 23, 2010

Thanks, that makes complete sense. The second picture does look much more like the caterpillar.

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