CLOSED: Fuzzy yellow caterpillar - black skin

Kunming, China

We found this guy in our garden in southwest China. He's about five centimetres long, has black skin and tufty, bright yellow hair. He has a longer tuft of fur/tail at the back, but no horns. He's eating a hedging plant that has small, dark green leaves and tiny purple flowers (currently). Chinese friends say that the fur irritates human skin, but they can't identify the beast.

It would be great if anyone could identify him. My sons have called him Fuzzy Fred and we are trying to raise him.

Laura

Thumbnail by laurainchina
Jamaica Plain, MA

I just found this SAME caterpillar, marching straight up one of my eggplant's leaves. Should have taken a picture, but didn't have my phone. Does ANYONE know what this is, or how to control? Seems like it would not make much of a tasty meal for a bird - too fuzzy.

Sinks Grove, WV

This caterpillar could be in the family Arctiidae, that includes several species with urticating hairs/spines. It does bear a superficial resemblance to a North American species known as the yellow bear (Spilosoma virginica) - see http://tinyurl.com/lljc9r

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