At the tip of each defensive hair is a microscopic barb with a weakened ring at the base, allowing the barb to easily break off in the skin of any animal that grabs onto the caterpillar. She explained that many fuzzy-looking caterpillars, especially in the tussock moth subfamily (Lymantriidae), have “urticating hairs” that they use for self-defense. ![]() ![]() To learn more, I contacted Rachel Maccini, Urban Entomologist for the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. I wondered, could the hairy-caterpillars-sting story be a myth? I remembered being warned away from hairy caterpillars as a kid, but I’ve since picked up many - of various types - with no ill effect. He was the third student that month to point out the same kind of caterpillar as stinging. Last October, a young student in one of my nature journaling workshops pointed out a fuzzy yellow caterpillar with long black tufts.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |