Reaching into A BRANCH of an oak tree, you expect to find a leaf, but instead you feel something furry. It is not hair, and it is definitely not a spider. It is a tiny device ready to delivers some venom when touched. And suddenly your hand feels burned, and the sensation shoots up your arm. Ouch! But then again, it is more than an ouch; it is a biological warning signal you dare not ignore. Most gardeners first discover here on earth that curiosity can indeed hurt you. It can also hurt your comfortablity level.
That’s what this new infographic details (above), about which critters sting us, and how to ID ’em before you get stuck. You don’t see it with the naked eye, but that’s where the threat lurks. A lot of caterpillars appear harmless, soft moss, a wad of wool. The Puss Caterpillar is no exception. How innocent does it seem? Pick it up. What you’re really holding is a tiny mass of tan fur with rows of hollow spines loaded with powerful venom underneath. Touch it once and you will in searing, instant pain that may include headache and nausea. It is not a skin thing at all. It is a systemic thing.
Stinging Caterpillars to Avoid in Your Garden
That knowledge alters everything about your relationship with every single thing growing in your yard. You don’t touch the fuzzy things. Nature also gives us big clues in color, and it’s all free. There are vivid yellow bands. There are red stripes over bright greens. Those aren’t decorations; they’re warnings. The Saddleback Caterpillar seems almost decorative, wearing a brown saddle patch across its back, except that those horns on the edge is packed with irritants. How about the Io Moth caterpillar, who appears as if she were some sort of bright green jewel; until you notice the spines injecting histamine-like compounds right into your skin. They use aposematism (a fancy word meaning they shout out: “I’m toxic! They shout, “Don’t eat me!” and you had better listen.
Habitat is even more important than identification. Where do you most commonly touch yourself? That’s where you’ll find most of the hazardous larvae. For instance, oak trees are almost a hotbed of peril (Buck Moths, Hag Moths, various slug caterpillars, anyone?), and orchard/fruit trees welcome Flannel Moth larvae and the less-cute Stinging Rose caterpillar. Prune those roses or pick that apple without gloves and…you’re rollin’ the dice. Below are hazards to look out for by region (or at least my corner of North America), from the chart above.
The first-aid approach is simple, yet against intuition: Don’t rub it! The microscopic barbs will go deeper into the skin, making the reaction worse. Use adhesive tape instead, press it on, then pull it off repeatedly to remove the spines. Sounds ridiculous, but works. Tuck some medical tape (or even duct tape) in your garden kit so you’ll have it when needed. Swelling can be reduced with ice; itching can be eased with antihistamines, but getting that physical source of poison away from skin comes first.
The most valuable thing you can teach children may be this: Look, don’t touch. Kids are tactile creatures. They crave contact with the world, spiky slug, soft woolly bear, and it’s up to us to change what they learn. If they’re in your way, push them back with a stick. No, don’t reach out and touch them with your hands. One bad experience will make any kid afraid of nature for life, and as parents we should of wanted that.
While there are less venomous species in the West than the East, geographical location is not a guarantee for safety. Always treat unknown hairy caterpillars as possible dangers. Familiarize yourself with what they look like by quickly consulting an ID guide, and you’ll avoid hours of discomfort. After all, have some respect for the little buggers who defend their turf with both mechanics and chemistry. Check out the underside of leaves, wear your gloves, and don’t pick up anything that doesn’t belong. Your skin will appreciate it.