A tussock moth's caterpillar? While browsing my garden for extra Milkweed seedlings for my queen's cats. I discovered this little 'hairy' fella on my Mugo pine. Have I got one of those beautiful Moth's cat.? Please help I.D. and pointer how I can raise it indoor.
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http://entnem.ufl.edu/foltz/eny3541/Tussock/Orgyia.htm
Ahaha!!! SOLVED!!!
I wish I could be happy for you, but those are the one caterpillar that I shoot on sight. Well, smush on site anyway. I've had them so thick in the yard it sounded like they were raining coming down out of the oak trees. Then they eat everything! And they make their cocoons all over the house, the shed, the trailer, the boat, etc. Since I began my genocide a few years ago, I've had less each year. This year I've only seen two in my yard, but I heard the niehgbor had them everywhere, LOL!
Melanie
Ooops! Here I thought they were good caterpillars. lol No sweat though. That was the only one I saw. Thank you, Melanie. I haven't seen your post for awhile, when you do, though, you gave helpful insight to butterfly gardening. I thank you.
Well, I guess all caterpillars are good in their own way. Just don't let these guys get out of hand. We have a lot of old oaks in my yard and that's where they lay their eggs. Then, they dangle off the leaves and make their way down to the ground where they then proceed to eat everything in their path! I guess they got really established here. I don't mind a few but we would literally have hundreds of them.
Melanie
