Hairy Caterpillar

[joebranko]

This was my first opportunity to go out taking pictures since the lockdown. All the public parks in the city, in fact in the Province, were closed for the duration, and were recently reopened. In addition I got a new (used) 300mm lens that I was anxious to try out. So last weekend I visited two parks.

This shot I got at Beamer Park ( Grimsby Ontario ) which is better known to photographers for sighting of raptor birds as they ride the air currents at the edge of the escarpment. This shot has nothing to do with raptors however. It is of a Hairy Caterpillar. I was fortunate to notice it without coming into contact with it as touching its hairs is quite unpleasant. I was not aware that these insects were native to Ontario; I thought they were only tropical. I nearly had a rude awakening!

Anyway I was able to get a nice shot with my new lens and also to get a nice bokeh also.

[royent]

Joe We have hairy caterpillars in the UK. They may not be these

[xpatUSA]

Got hairy ones in Texas, too. Apparently not poisonous:

[joebranko]

This is the only one I have seen in Canada. I had to Google it to confirm what it is.

[joebranko]

Got hairy ones in Texas, too. Apparently not poisonous:

Ours can cause severe skin irritation if you touch them.

[pschlute]

The Oak Processionary Moth caterpillar is an increasing problem in the UK. The hairs of that contain a toxin which can be a skin irritant, and more seriously can cause asthma if inhaled.

[Wavelength]

This kind of worm is common here. It jumps down from tree by making a thread using saliva.If it creep on your body, it creates an itchy sensation there. Locally it is called "blanket worm".