I have dishes of fruit peels and rotting banana on my back deck, and just found this little guy on the railing, don't know if he's heading for a dish of the goodies, but WHAT is he? Anyone know? I don't know if he's lost and I should be trying to relocate him to a particular host plant! Help!!
..he's really a nice bright green, with brown fuzzy thick antennae, legs and head. He's only about an inch long, maybe a tad less...
Found this information in BugFiles on the "Saddleback caterpillar"
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/1485/
This looks to be the moth - http://bugguide.net/node/view/59578
Oh my goodness, Careyana, thank you so much for saving me from this little creature!!! I haven't spent much time on Dave's Garden this summer, too many things going on, and I forgot about checking the Bug Files.
He's such an interesting little guy, but I sure am glad I didn't try to "save" him! Everyone on the Bug Files comments section talks about the terrible stings they got touching one of these fellas.
Wow, that was a close call!!! Thanks again Careyana!!!!!
No problem! DG has been a savior for me a few times as well! Please join us more often. :)
For stings like that use ammonia, yes, ammonia, household ammonia. Rub it on the area as fast as you can & the sting, swelling etc... will be lessened immensely if not totally depending on how fast you get to the ammonia. I was stung by one of these all up & down the tender underside of my arm as I reached into a plant & it felt like fire. I got to the ammonia quickly & all was well. I have used this method on wasp & hornet stings with the same wonderful results. People down here take ammonia on their boats for use when they get stung by jelly fish. Ammonia has something to do with breaking down the protein in the venom & that takes the wallop out of it.
Ann
Nice to know Ann. That might save me a vet bill. Caught my dog hitting a wasp with her paw just the other day. We have had an abundance of wasp this year.
Well now, I'm not sure if it's okay to use ammonia on a DOG. Maybe yes, maybe no. My sister had a dog once who chewed his pads & his muzzle got sores on it. She took him to the vet & he said it was because she mopped her tile floors with ammonia & he was having a reaction to the ammonia. He had to wear one of those collar things to prevent him chewing his feet & scratching his muzzle till his sores cleared up. DS quit mopping with ammonia & he cleared up. She had another dog at the same time who was NOT AFFECTED therefore it's likely it's an individual reaction thing.
Ann
Maybe not....hadn't considered a reaction, but guess that could happen to a person too.
I use ammonia to clean my stove grates and can barely stand the smell. I would think it would be more of a q-tip usage if I did try it.
Hey, that day I got the saddle back on the tender underside of my arm all the way from my armpit to my wrist ----- I literally POURED it on! And was glad I did. You can rinse it off almost immediately & then if you find you're still stinging/hurting you can try a "little dab'll do ya". :-)
Ann
I was introduced to this lil charmer the "OWIE!" way. Brushed him hiding on a plant...OUCH!
Gee, without really knowing, I was going to guess "saddleback". maybe it was in the back of my mind. Never can tell what's hidden up there! That's a great tip about the ammonia. Guess I'll buy some soon. Happy tomorrow!!
