Today is a day off from work and as is usual, I am spending it in the garden. While gathering up a dead shrub I happened to glance down at a nearby baptisia and spotted three prickly looking caterpillars that I had not seen in the garden before. Hmmmm, I have several baptisias and some have been eaten to the stems so this caterpillar interested me. Not the mention that after my encounter with a prickly saddleback caterpillar I am very wary of prickly caterpillars in the garden. Prickly caterpillars can sting you severely so it is always best to leave them alone!! I kept my distance, took a few pictures and got on my computer to try to identify these caterpillars.
I am not good at identifying caterpillars or even butterflies for that matter, but there is a handy site called Caterpillars that has a link to a BuGGuide where you can look up what seems like millions of pictures of caterpillars and hopefully get an identification. Bingo! It only took me going through about 50 pictures before I found my caterpillar. It seems it is an instar of the Automeris moth.
The Automeris moth is a common moth of North America and one of its host plants is baptisia. These caterpillars in the above picture appear to be an early instar. The caterpillars of the Automeris go through five changes (instar stages) before they begin their metamorphosing into a cocoon to turn into a moth.
I think the little caterpillars were a neat find in the garden but I am ever so grateful I did not brush up against these caterpillars because, not surprisingly, the prickly hairs STING! If you have never had the misfortune of brushing up against a stinging caterpillar such as these or the saddlebacks I can describe the pain for you. It is instantaneous and feels like someone poured burning water on your skin. The skin will turn red and look like it is burned. The pain will usually subside in a few days but I promise you won't ever forget the experience so beware when spotting new caterpillars....
in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
I have a little burning pain from weed pulling. I felt it as soon as it hit me but thought maybe a pine cone flake or sweet gum ball pod. Hum, I wonder if I hit a caterpillar? It is sort of blistered today and still burns. But not so bad that I must nurse it. I am tough and just ignoring it at this point.... Pretty little guy though....
ReplyDeleteIt is sure a pretty cat and all the way thru all their changes. Good job on the id.
ReplyDeleteWell this must be a first, Not a morning person me is commenting first
Whoops, nope, Skeeter beat me while I was typing.
ReplyDeleteHow neat that you identified your caterpillars; they are pretty ones. How beautiful to imagine they will fly one day as moths.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought on viewing this photo was uh oh, he looks dangerous. Nice find and ID! Enjoy the rest of your day off!
ReplyDeleteCute li'l fella, but he packs a great big ouch! No touchy feely for him, but he is attractive.
ReplyDeleteHe is cute. So far I've not met up with one. I have seen them tho.
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't touch him.
Skeeter, It's very possible!
ReplyDeleteMom, close enough!
Terra, It is so hard to imagine they will become moths for me too!
Darla, Thanks!
Frances, Scary guys for sure. And they have not vanished from the baptisia too!
Lola, Me too! I wince everytime I think about the last time!
It is good to be able to ID so many insects etc. via the internet. What did we do before google?
ReplyDeleteIt is a great picture!
Tina,
ReplyDeleteNice find, never seen these before. I would not touch them either.
Caterpillars are fun to find and aggravating at the same time. Great job at the ID. I go to the same sites and often come away with nothing. My post today has unidentified critters.I rarely ever see caterpillars but that does not mean they are not there, the holes in the leaves tell me otherwise. Good to know on the stinging. I never was stung so I did not know it was that bad.
ReplyDeleteinteresting caterpillars, very well camoflaged. I've been stung by caterpillars, ants and wasps in the garden. Now i am cautious too and usually wear gloves.
ReplyDeleteI love finding new critters and i will be extra careful if they look like this one. gail
ReplyDeleteVery neat! I just posted on a caterpillar too. The gulf fritillary was on my passion vine. This time of year seems to be popular for caterpillars!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting find, Tina! Thanks for the warning,too, though I'm still somewhat of a "wormaphobe" so I never pick up caterpillars with my bare hands:)
ReplyDeleteCool caterpillar Tina! It must be the day for them because I found Monarch caterpillars today too. (I know they're more common but I've never had them here!) Good to know these prickly ones can sting. I'll definitely leave them alone.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like it would hurt if you touched those prickly spines.
ReplyDeleteI must remember not to be that brave whenever I found caterpillar that is not common in our garden to pick it by bare hands. I have been picking white cabbage butterfly caterpillars with hand this year.
ReplyDelete