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Posted 12/18/2021 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I just found this online after trying to identify the bizarre creatures I spotted in the yard today. It looks like a tuft of squirrel tail. The first one I spotted was attached to my tire and is still laying on the ground by the car.

Turns out it’s called the puss caterpillar and it’s dangerous and toxic. Of course!!!! The sting is worse than a bee.

The backyard is blanketed in leaves again. I was going to blow them with the blower today, while it’s super warm. Now I am afraid of coming in contact with these bizarre creatures.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/toupee-caterpillar-venomous-animal-weird-insect

Anybody else ever seen these? I wonder if it would kill them if I spray them with wasp spray or something. At least maybe keep them from reproducing.

Seems like there’s no end of things to threaten me.
Posted 12/18/2021 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I've personally come to the conclusion that this is what blow torches are for.

Sprays work but I've heard the toxins can linger for decades.
Posted 12/18/2021 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
I've neither seen nor heard of them. Personally, I wouldn't kill them. Additionally, I'd be far more wary of wasp spray and other such killing agents.

They're strange looking creatures, though. They remind me of this: https://youtu.be/hbagepzvxz8?t=72
Posted 12/18/2021 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Oh those are terrifying, AND painful.

Reminds me of the medical bill that I just got! That I have "to pay" or need lots of help to pay it (ER visit and more...).

This caterpillar is nicknamed the "toupee" caterpillar btw I m just making a joke/pun : )

I got a bunch of stings from a wasp nest when I was a kid, that was very painful, my face swelled up...

I guess be careful they look fuzzy and touchable but they aren't...
Posted 12/18/2021 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I heard about these toxic fuzzy caterpillars.

As far as killing insects that might sting you.......any home or pro mechanic will tell you aerosol spray auto brake cleaner paralyzes critters in two seconds and kills with a second spray in about 10 seconds. Works on entire wasp nests too, you just need to run fast! **It Can damage some newer epa friendly auto paint, safe on home latex though**

If the caterpillar is still toxic after death just dig a hole in your yard maybe, move with a mask and shovel.

At least you can SEE a wasp in flight, caterpillars can sneak up on you, drop on from above ect.
Posted 12/18/2021 8:47 PM (GMT 0)

The Dude Abides said...
I've neither seen nor heard of them. Personally, I wouldn't kill them. Additionally, I'd be far more wary of wasp spray and other such killing agents.

They're strange looking creatures, though. They remind me of this: https://youtu.be/hbagepzvxz8?t=72

🤣
Posted 12/18/2021 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thats a dead taupe'.
Posted 12/18/2021 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
A dead toupee, LOL!!!

Well, I may have scared myself for nothing. I said it looked like tufts of squirrel tail. I think it may actually have been.

The first one I saw was attached to my back tire. Then I found 4 other ones on the side of the yard, where I drive my car around. Oak trees were mentioned as a common attraction for them, but these were on the opposite side of the yard from the oak and away from any trees or bushes.

I left for a while and came back to deal with the dangerous creatures. None of them had moved from their original spots. I put a hazmat suit and thick rubber gloves and got a little spade to pick them up with. They didn’t look like a caterpillar body and one fell apart. Two looked like just thin clumps of the fuzzy hair. I put them in water and dug a little hole and dumped it and covered it up.

After all that, I decided it likely actually tufts from squirrel tail that I had driven over and picked up on my tires, leaving those 4 pieces in that spot.

Well, anyway, now I know what a puss caterpillar is. I blew the leaves afterwards to clear the yard, so I can see what is there. If I find anymore, I will be more suspicious.

I just discovered cow killers a couple years ago. I have seen them in our yard, too, but they’re not known to be aggressive and they are easy to see. I have never seen more than one at a time.
Posted 12/19/2021 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah hopefully I or we won't have "toupeé" for any more emergency room visits or hospitalizations...

smile

smile

due to this disease complex...or else those painfully-venomous critters...
Posted 12/19/2021 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I get animal kills in my yard now and then! There was some rabbit parts/fur scattered in the snow last year with wide feather/wing marks in the snow at the first part of it. The rabbit was a tasty meal for some bird of prey.

One less rabbit to poop out brown "M and M's" on my front steps.
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