Hairy caterpillars may look cute and fluffy, but many species of these furry worm-like creatures have stinging spines. Species of caterpillars covered in hairs come in all shapes and sizes. For example, there are fuzzy white caterpillars with long pencil setae. Other hairy caterpillars may be covered in tufts of dense hairs giving the worms a furry appearance. Different types of hairy caterpillars may look like black and brown woolly tubes.

A moth caterpillar refers to the larval stage of a moth, which is the stage before it undergoes metamorphosis to become an adult moth. Moth caterpillars come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and they feed on a wide range of plant materials depending on the specific species. During this stage, they primarily focus on consuming food to fuel their growth and development before they enter the pupal stage and eventually emerge as adult moths.

Florida is home to many types of caterpillars. Among Florida’s exotic and strange-looking caterpillars are fuzzy, striped, and unusual-looking horned caterpillars. In addition, several varieties of stinging caterpillars in the Sunshine State can give you a nasty sting if you handle them. Identifying caterpillars in Florida can help to know which species of caterpillars are poisonous and which are harmless.

Fall armyworms can have a devastating impact on your lawn. These large, destructive, brown-striped caterpillars eat through plant tissue, damaging grass and causing brown patches to appear. These caterpillars are the larval stages of moths, and they damage lawns, pastures, and hayfields throughout the tropical regions of the western hemisphere from the United States to Argentina.

Black and orange caterpillars represent the larval stage of various moths and butterflies. These chubby, worm-like crawling insects can feature black and orange stripes, fuzzy orange bodies with black bands, or tufts of spiny hairs protruding from their black and orange forms. Certain orange and black fuzzy caterpillars may even appear intimidating, with noticeable black spikes adorning their backs and heads.

Tent worms are species of caterpillars in the genus Malacosoma. Also called tent caterpillars, they have long slender bodies up to 2” (5 cm) long with white marks on their back and hairy spines. Distributed throughout much of the United States and Canada, tent worms get their name from the large tent-like webs that they spin to protect larvae from predators and the elements.

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.