+g0t0pless Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 OK, so we were out caching. He goes to grab a branch to move it out of the way, and screams in terror!!!!!! I spin around, look to see what happened, thinking a snake got him or soemthing. He's holding his hand, screaming, crying, sweating, and shaking violently. I get him calmed down enough to talk, and he tells me something on the branch bit him on the finger. So I look on the branch, and I see nothing. No snakes, no hornets, no bees, nothing. So I look again, and lo and behold, there is a little caterpillar sitting there. I'll explain this thing in as best detail as I can, in hopes someone can identify it. Imagine a shiny bright green leaf. Now roll the leaf into the size and shape of a cigarette butt. Now on both ends, imagine 2 brown spots for eyes. Now on those 4 brown spots, imagine 8-12 1/4" long spikes. The spikes were also brown. I wish I woulda taken a pic of this thing, but my sons screaming made me want to get out of there ASAP. Anyone have a clue what kind of caterpillar this thing is? Quote Link to comment
+g0t0pless Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 (edited) Did some research, and google images had a pic of it right on the first page!!!! Its a Saddleback Caterpillar. info: http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomolo...ets/saddle.html pic: It's not exactly as I remembered it, but this thing is definitely it. Edited September 3, 2007 by g0t0pless Quote Link to comment
+mousekakat Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Mean looking little buggar! How's your little guy? Here in Sweden when kids get an owie we blow on it... so here is a long little blow hoping it feels better soon!! *blowing softly* Quote Link to comment
+Rick618 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Sounds right, and it burns like a fireant sting for about an hour or so. I had one that I brushed across the back of my shoulder while reaching for a cache. It was under the nearby limb. Quote Link to comment
+OEnavigators Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 That looks painful. Poor guy. I was showing my daughter (she's four) the pictures and she said you should feed him lots of ice cream until he feels better. Quote Link to comment
+niffir Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I got stung by quite a few caterpillars when I was living in New Orleans. For a few weeks a year, there are horrible brown spiky caterpillars all over the place. I have no idea what they are called, though. Their spikes look a lot like the ones in the photos you found, but they don't have that green saddle around the middle-- they are purely black/brown. Hate those things. Quote Link to comment
arimaeis Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I hate those things...when I was about 10 or so my brother and I where in our front yard and they had invaded one of the trees in our yard. We both where trying to catch them....needless to say it didn't go to well. Quote Link to comment
+kb1hwh Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 They sure do look like they would hurt quite a bit, but fortunatley that article does say the sting hurts but overall is harmless... Quote Link to comment
runner_one Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Got stung by one of those several years ago while walking through a cornfield it stung me right through my shirt very painful. These are quite common in the south and I found out that you will often find them on corn. I now REFUSE under any circumstances to walk through a cornfield. Quote Link to comment
+Green Achers Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Anyone have a clue what kind of caterpillar this thing is? Sorry. Heard you were looking for a caterpillar expert. Quote Link to comment
+ScottieScouts Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 (edited) Guess this is old news...didn't see the replies. Did you ever figure out what it was? I've handled a wide range of them but never been bitten. Any chance he could have been stung instead of bitten? Here's some pictures that I looked up for that variety. I used to work in natural history museum and have an interest in the little beasts. Hope all turned out ok. http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/caterpillars2004 http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef003.asp http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins/ca...caterpillar.htm Edited March 8, 2008 by ScottieScouts Quote Link to comment
+ScottieScouts Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Hmmm. I've only raised one of these (he liked rose leaves). I named him "Roy". I'm glad it wasn't a snake or something worse. Quote Link to comment
+ClareLouise Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Wow, I'm glad caterpillers aren't dangerous in the UK! That thing looks nasty! Quote Link to comment
+qlenfg Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 OK, so we were out caching. Snip... Anyone have a clue what kind of caterpillar this thing is? Look here: Whats That Bug? Quote Link to comment
+godzillaman1234 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 they dont bite u they stab u be careful Quote Link to comment
+tokencollector Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 When I was a little kid in MA, every year the sadlebacks would munch on the leaves of the maple trees in our front yard. I thought they were cool until I got stung. I've avoided them ever since. It wwas my first thought when I read the post. Quote Link to comment
+SnowBird690 Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Eww, thos look nasty, can't say that I have ever run into one of those. But down here in Houston there is an infestation of tent caterpillars going on right now. When you walk through the woods these things crawl all over you, I have had several somehow magically appear on the back of my neck. They don't feel pleasent! But they are harmless. Actually, they are kind of pretty, very colorful. I will have to take some pictures. But I sure hope that I don't run into a saddle back, if I do I will be sure to avoid it! Quote Link to comment
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