Furry Caterpillar Types with An Identification Chart and Pictures
Furry caterpillars are a fascinating type of insect that usually turn into moths. Most types of furry caterpillars feed on the leaves of plants and trees. Although many hairy caterpillars look scary, most are quite harmless. There are some spiky caterpillars that are poisonous and can give you a bee-like sting or cause skin irritation. So, until you identify the exact caterpillar species, you should avoid handling the furry ones without protective gloves.
How to Identify Caterpillars
Identifying fuzzy caterpillars requires noting their color, type of hairy covering, and specific markings. Some types of furry caterpillars also look deceiving. For example, some woolly caterpillars look like soft furry worms. However, their bristles are a defense mechanism and can be spiky and sore. Although their ‘sting’ won’t cause lasting harm, their poisonous stings can cause allergic reactions in some people.
In this article, you will learn how to identify the various types of common furry caterpillars. In addition, you will find out about the poisonous stinging caterpillars to be aware of.
Types of Furry Caterpillars With Pictures and Names – Identification Guide
The descriptions of the various caterpillars in this list are of mature larvae in their last stage before pupation. After hatching from an egg, the larvae are constantly feeding on plants and growing in size. So, an immature caterpillar may look different from a mature furry one.
Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar is a furry type of caterpillar with black and orange hairs
The Banded Woolly Bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) is one of the most common types of furry caterpillars. It’s easy to identify these fuzzy caterpillars due to their dark orange and black markings. The orange and black fuzzy Woolly Bear caterpillar is also called ‘Isabella Tiger Moth,’ ‘Woolybear,’ or ‘Wooly Worm.’ The Banded Woolly Bear caterpillar body is made up of 13 segments.
Although the Banded Woolly Bear caterpillars look like soft furry insects, their body covering is made from bristles that can penetrate your skin. Coming into contact with a black and brown/tan woolly caterpillar can result in skin irritation. However, banded ‘woollies’ are not poisonous.
Some people used to think that Banded Woolly bear caterpillars could predict the severity of winter. A wider orange band in the middle was said to mean that the winter would be mild.
Identifying features
You can spot banded woolly caterpillars due to the black hairy covering on the ends and a wide brown or tan band of hair in their middle.
Banded woolly bear caterpillars roll up into a ball when they feel threatened.
They grow to just over 2” (5 cm) before the pupal stage and turning into a moth.
Salt Marsh Caterpillar
The hairy Salt Marsh caterpillar can vary in color from tan to dark brown, almost black
The Salt Marsh caterpillar (Estigmene acrea) is another furry caterpillar that feeds on tomato, cotton, soybean, and cabbage plants. The larvae of the Salt Marsh moth can range in color from pale yellow to dark brown, almost black.
Although the black and brown covering looks spiky, these are soft bristles that aren’t sharp. However, similar to ‘woolly’ caterpillars, the fine hair-like spines can get under your skin and irritate it.
Identifying features
You can identify these caterpillars apart from Banded Woolly ones because of rows of black spots along their side.
These medium-sized dark brown fuzzy caterpillars grow to just over 2” (5 cm) in length.
Sycamore Tussock Caterpillar
The white furry Sycamore Tussock caterpillar has an unusual pair of spikes on each end
The Sycamore Tussock is an unusual looking white furry and fluffy caterpillar due to 2 hair pencils protruding from each end. A pair of white and a pair of orange long spikes stick out from furry yellowish-white spines. The sides of the larvae have fine white trailing setae (bristly hairs).
As with many types of fuzzy caterpillars, the bristles of Sycamore Tussock are irritating and may cause hives. These are not a stinging caterpillar species and are certainly not a deadly caterpillar variety.
The Sycamore Tussock caterpillar (Halysidota harrisii) gets its name because it feeds on sycamore trees. This species belongs to the Erebidae family of crawling insects.
Identifying features
Notice a pair of white hair pencils at the rear and a pair of orange hair pencils at the head.
These small fuzzy white caterpillars don’t grow longer than 1.1” (3 cm).
Hickory Tussock Caterpillar
The black and white Hickory Tussock caterpillar is a type of hairy caterpillar
The Hickory Tussock moth caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae) is also called the ‘Hickory Tiger Moth’ or ‘Hickory Halisidota. This hairy caterpillar is a black and white caterpillar species in the same family as the Sycamore Tussock but from the Lophocampa genus.
The Hickory Tussock moth caterpillar is white furry caterpillar that is covered in tufts of white setae. Similar to the Sycamore Tussock, the Hickory Tiger moth caterpillar has a pair of long black hair pencils at each end. The white and black spines may look soft and harmless but they are very irritating. The microscopic hooked ends can cause pain if they get into your eyes or lodged in your skin.
After emerging from the pupa, these spiny white caterpillars are a beautiful brown moth with yellow markings on the wings.
Identifying features
Black tufts of bristles along the Hickory Tussock caterpillar’s back helps to identify this from the Sycamore Tussock. From above, the black bristles have a diamond shape.
Slightly larger than the Sycamore caterpillar, the Hickory species grow to 1.7” (4.5 cm)
American Dagger Moth Caterpillar
The American Dagger caterpillar can be identified by its distinct yellow-whitish hairy look
Despite its aggressive-sounding name, the American Dagger caterpillar (Acronicta americana) is quite harmless. Its long body is covered in long spindly pale yellow-white hairs, making it look very soft.
Apart from its long yellow-white fluffy hairs, you can recognize the hairy American Dagger caterpillar by its shiny black head. Towards the head end are 2 pairs of long dark hair pencils and a solitary single one at its rear.
You can often find these furry yellowish caterpillars feeding on tree leaves. Favorites of this species include ash, birch, hickory, and oak trees.
Identifying features
You can identify the American Dagger caterpillar due to 5 long black hair pencils. There are 2 near the head and middle, and one on the end.
The American Dagger moth caterpillar grows to 2.5” (5 cm) in length.
Io Caterpillar
The large Io caterpillar has green poisonous spikes
One of the most unusual fat spiky caterpillars is the Io caterpillar (scientific name Automeris io). This fuzzy-looking worm is found in Texas, Colorado, Canada, and Florida.
The Io caterpillar has a plump green segmented body with small lime-green tufts. Some of the spiky tufts have black tips. You will also notice a red and white line along the length of its body.
If you spot one of these large green caterpillars, you are best advised to stay clear. The Io caterpillar is a stinging insect and its poisonous spikes will give you a bee-like sting. Although the sting won’t kill you, it can hurt and may even cause an allergic reaction.
Identifying features
Immature larvae start off an orange color before turning bright green in adulthood.
The Io caterpillar grows to 2.3” (6 cm) and loves to gorge on tree and plant leaves.
Milkweed Tiger Caterpillar
The small Milkweed Tiger has white, black and orange hairy tufts
The Milkweed Tiger (Euchaetes egle) is a small species of furry caterpillar that is found anywhere from Texas to southern areas of Canada.
Also called the Milkweed Tussock moth caterpillar, the larvae are gray and hairy. Black and orange hairy tufts help identify the Milkweed Tussock moth caterpillar. There are also a few white setae tufts that give this caterpillar an interesting color. As the larvae mature, their orange markings become even more pronounced.
As its name suggests, this ‘tussock’ species of caterpillar feeds only on milkweed. This poisonous sap doesn’t affect the caterpillar but acts as a defense against predators.
Identifying features
Black, white, and orange fuzzy hairs cover this caterpillar and it has a black head that is difficult to see.
One of the smaller types of caterpillar that only grows to 1.3” (3.5 cm)
European Gypsy Caterpillar
The European Gypsy caterpillar is a hairy type of caterpillar with red and blue dots
Another type of unusual furry caterpillar is the European Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar). This caterpillar species is found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
This long moth caterpillar has wispy whisker-like setae sticking out in all directions. You can tell this species apart by its bright red and blue dots on its back. These are interspersed with tufts of fine black hairs.
Despite their fuzzy innocent appearance, they are a destructive type of caterpillar. They can quickly destroy large areas of woodland by eating all the tree leaves. Like with most fuzzy caterpillars, their light fine spines can cause contact allergies.
Identifying features of the European gypsy moth caterpillar
Two rows of colorful dots on its back. There are 12 red dots and 10 blue dots.
They grow to between 1.5” to 2” (4 – 5 cm).
White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
The furry White-Marked Tussock caterpillar is easily identified by its unique look
The White-Marked Tussock caterpillar (Orgyia leucostigma) is an exotic looking caterpillar due to its many identifying features.
Almost every part of this caterpillar has a different color. It has a bright red head with tuft-like antennae on either side. The back of this moth caterpillar has yellow and black stripes running down its length. Just behind the head are 4 bushy white tufts and there are brown and black bushy tails at its end.
In addition, there are also fine white tufts of setae along the sides.
Be careful handling these spiky caterpillars as their microscopic barbed spines can cause a lot of irritation.
Identifying features
Different colored tufts of fine hair seem to stick out from all different parts of this caterpillar.
A small species of fuzzy caterpillar that grows up to 1.3” (3.5 cm).
Southern Flannel Caterpillar
The Southern Flannel caterpillar is one of the fluffiest types of furry caterpillars
Found in the southern states such as Texas and Florida, the Southern Flannel moth caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis) is a small and hairy venomous caterpillar.
The larvae are covered in setae that look like messy beige-orange hair. Some say that this species looks like a tiny Persian cat. Some species have vibrant orange ‘hair’ and others have a grayish or beige speckled black appearance. Also, some types of this woolly caterpillar have orange line running down each side. You may even find some with lemon-yellow fluffy hair with a long hairy tail.
As the caterpillars mature to pupation, the hairy appearance becomes more disheveled. Longer straggly orange or brown hairs start to grow out from the sides.
Even though this caterpillar looks soft and furry, the spines are poisonous and will cause a painful reaction to your skin.
Identifying features
One of the fluffiest beige or orange caterpillars you will find.
Being a medium-sized caterpillar, Southern Flannels grow to between 1.3” and 3” (3.5 – 4 cm) long.
Western Tent Caterpillar
The hairy Western Tent Caterpillar has a long black and orange body
Another large black furry caterpillar is the Western Tent species (Malacosoma californicum). This type of caterpillar is from the Lasiocampidae family and is one of 6 subspecies in the family.
This tent caterpillar species has a long black and orange body. Fine orange or dark yellow spines cover the body giving it a slightly furry look. However, some varieties of Western Tent caterpillars can be gray or white with an orange stripe. Another feature that identifies Western Tent caterpillars is their pale blue head.
Tent caterpillars are so-called because large populations live together in tent-like structures.
Identifying features
An orange stripe and fine orange hairs running down the length of this caterpillar help to identify it.
The destructive larvae can grow up to 2.5” (5 cm) long.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
The large Eastern Tent Caterpillar has a distinct white line on its back
Another black furry tent caterpillar is the Eastern Tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum). This looks similar to its Western cousin but has a distinct white stripe running down its back.
Looking closely at this caterpillar, you will also notice distinctive blue markings on its side. What makes this a hairy type of caterpillar is the tufts of fine spines just below the light blue markings. These fine hairs can be any shade of color from silvery-white to light brown.
These caterpillars love to build their tents on crab-apple, aspen, willow, and mahogany trees.
Identifying features
Thin tufts of silky hairs on a black body with white stripes help to differentiate these caterpillars from other tent species.
One of the larger species of tent caterpillars, the Eastern tent species grows up to 2.3” (6 cm).
Forest Tent Caterpillars
The Forest Tent Caterpillar has white marking on its back with blue and yellow stripes on each side
Forest Tent caterpillars (Malacosoma disstria) are similar in appearance to their Eastern and Western cousins. They are similar in size with tufts of fine hair running down the length of their body.
One of the identifying features of Forest caterpillars is their white footprint-shaped markings on each segment. These white marks run up the back of the caterpillar. Also, light blue segmented stripes are on the sides of this crawling larvae.
Unlike other species of tent caterpillars in the Malacosoma genus, these larvae don’t live in tents.
For most people, these types of caterpillars don’t pose any problems. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may get itchy red patches of skin irritation after handling one. The same is true of other tent caterpillars.
Identifying features
Markings that look like white footprints and blue and yellow stripes help identify this type of caterpillar.
As with other tent caterpillars, the ‘Forest’ variety grows up to 2.3” (6 cm).
Fall Webworms
The Fall Webworm is a type of a small yellow hairy caterpillar with long spikes
Fall Webworms (Hyphantria cunea) caterpillars look both hairy and spiky at the same time.
The interesting feature of Fall Webworms is that they come in a wide range of colors. Some of these small fuzzy caterpillars can be pale yellow with black dots, and others can be dark gray with light markings. Each segment of these insects has a wart that sprouts tufts of fine hairs. These can be yellow to white in color.
These yellow hairy caterpillars love to munch their way through leaves on walnut, cherry, crab-apple, and other deciduous trees.
Identifying features
Fuzzy yellow and black caterpillars with long tufts of setae sticking out from their sides.
One of the smallest of the furry caterpillars that only reaches 1” (2.5 cm) in length.
Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The Yellow Woolly Bear is a common type of furry caterpillar
One of the most common caterpillars you can find is the Yellow Woolly Bear (Spilosoma virginica). This subspecies of the Erebidae family of caterpillars has a very furry appearance. It is also called the Virginia Tiger moth.
The Yellow Woolly bear can be any shade of color, not just yellow. It is not common to find beige ‘Yellow Woollies,’ black and yellow ones, or bright orange-colored caterpillars. Yellow Woolly caterpillars tend to feed on almost any type of plant. So, you can find these spiny ‘yellow’ caterpillars munching away on greenery in nearly every place.
Soft bristles cover the body similar to their cousin, the Banded Woolly Bear caterpillar.
Identifying features
Yellow Woolly larvae have just one color of fluffy hairs rather than being a multicolored type of caterpillar.
These large fluffy caterpillars grow to around 2” (5 cm) long.
Saddleback Caterpillar
The spiky Saddleback caterpillar can be easily identified by its distinct green patch on the back
One of the scariest spiky types of caterpillar has to be the Saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea). This caterpillar species gets its name from the green saddle-like markings on its back.
The head of the Saddleback caterpillar has two menacing eye-like markings. Each end of the larva has spiky brown horns that look dangerous to touch. In fact, this is a poisonous species of caterpillar. The hairs of this unique caterpillar have a type of venom that can even cause nausea in humans.
Identifying features
A square lime-green patch on its back with a white circle and brown-colored center.
This small caterpillar is more spiky than hairy and grows to 1” (2.5 cm) in length
Frequently Asked Questions
Are caterpillars insects?
Yes, caterpillars are moths and butterflies in their larval stage and belong to the class of Insecta. Before turning into beautiful flying insects, caterpillars enter a pupal stage where they undergo metamorphosis.
Do furry caterpillars sting?
Only a few furry caterpillars have stinging capabilities. However, the majority of hair-covered caterpillars cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, or hives.
Are caterpillars worms?
Although they may look like furry poisonous worms, caterpillars are not worms. They belong to the Lepidoptera order of insects, whereas worms are not classed as an insect at all.
How to identify poisonous furry caterpillars?
It can be difficult to know exactly which caterpillars are poisonous and which aren’t. That is why it’s important to use an identification chart to learn about venomous caterpillars. Usually, brightly-colored and hairy caterpillars have some amount of irritating venom in them.
Do furry caterpillars turn into moths or butterflies?
Most furry caterpillars become moths after they emerge from the pupa.
Why are some caterpillars hairy?
Spiky hairs surrounding certain species of caterpillars act as a defense mechanism. Their furry spines either contain some poison or they cause irritation to animals and birds that prey on them.
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