Cute with threatening needle-like spines.
| Caterpillar | Danger level | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Moth Caterpillar | High | Commonly found in oak forests. They have hollow spines that contain venom, which cause a painful sting upon contact. The sting itself can cause immediate pain, itching, swelling, redness, and in some cases allergic reaction. |
|
| Flannel Moth Caterpillar | Very High | Very cute and soft looking but a sting from a flannel moth caterpillar is considered one of the most painful in North America. Its venomous spines are hidden within its furry exterior. Symptoms range from itching, burning, and swelling to more severe reactions like headaches and nausea. In some cases it can cause shock and respiratory distress. |
|
| Hag Moth Caterpillar | High | This caterpillar can be found in forests trees and ornamental shrubs. It's not as common as other caterpillars. Most common symptoms is itching and burning sensation, while others can experience breathing difficulty, nausea and pain that can last several hours. |
|
| Hickory Tussock | Moderate | Symptoms are typically like poison ivy, redness, itching, burning sensation. Life threatening reactions are rare but can still happen. Their fluffy appearance hides hollow hairs that inject toxins at contact. |
|
| Io Moth Caterpillar | Moderate | Stings are caused by its spines which are like tiny needles that inject venom. This sting can cause immediate burning sensation, pain, itching, redness, and swelling. Rare cases also have severe reactions like nausea, headaches, fevers, and shortness of breath. |
|
| Saddleback Caterpillar | High | Immediate burning pain, followed by redness, swelling, and a rash of red welts awaits you if you ever get stung by a saddleback caterpillar. Other symptoms can include pain spreading to nearby lymph nodes, and itching. More severe cases can have reactions like headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or a potential life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. |
|
| Stinging Rose Caterpillar | Medium | Very pretty and bright colors. This caterpillar has venomous spines which cause a painful reaction when touched. People should be careful as this caterpillar can be found in apples. roses, and oaks. |
|