Yep, that's him, officer!
(The Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar)
Who would've thought, eh? This cute, fuzzy little caterpillar has apparently been causing all kinds of mischief.
Mischief? What kind of Mischief?
I'll tell you. This Canadian caterpillar has found its way to northern Indiana. These hungry little hippos feed on nut trees, You're likely to find them grazing on your pecan, hickory, or walnut trees. Since these little porkers have large appetites, you may also find them eating your shrubs, corn leaves, or vegetables. The problem people are beginning to discover is not their appetite, though. These cute little fuzzballs are not sweet and cuddly like you would hope. They have been causing rashes to people of all ages. The rashes are similar to that of poison ivy and they're performing the deed... with their stinging hairs!
(Disappointing, I know. I had the same feeling when I found out that the platypus is poisonous.
There goes my dream to go to Austrailia and buy a pet platypus... who I could name "Ducky.")
How in the world can hairs sting?
It's interesting, really. Their hairs are hollow, leading to their poison glands. Sha-zam! You've been stung. The hairs can also cause a prick-like feeling and (because they are so thin) can break off into your skin. The symptoms of a sting can range from mild to severe depending on the individual.
How severe can the symptoms get?
Symptons can range anywhere from local reddening, swelling, burning, and itching to severe pain.
Hypersensitive people may also experience severe swelling, nausea, hives, and wheezing, leading up to the possibility of anaplylactic shock.
How do you rid yourself of these pests?
If you want to avoid getting stung, simply picking up the little culprits won't do.
The best way (according to Rick Steinau the Exterminator) is to use a pair of protective gloves. Another way of removing these pests from your garden (or your child's play area) is to introduce and encourage a host of predatory animals such as lizards, frogs, wasps, and birds. (The most attainable and least threatening to children would be the frogs. I do not recommend introducing wasps to reduce a caterpillar problem.)
So, my advice, steer clear of these cute little jerks. They aren't worth the risk.
Have a good and SAFE day!
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