This scary looking mini beast is a vapourer moth caterpillar. We found it on our butterfly bush and took a few pictures. The male moth of these caterpillars actually comes out during the day to feed, the females are flightless and look like hairy woodlice.
The vapourer caterpillar can be found on most trees and bushes and when very small can spin silk that is picked up by wind currents to transport them to other plant life, just like spiders.
Picture of Vapourer Moth Caterpillar.
Photographer: Marie snapped this photograph
63 responses to Vapourer Moth Caterpillar Photograph
We found one on the bin under a tree at work today. Put it in a box with holes, so I could identify it. Interesting caterpillar. Will replease it now I know what it is.
Just found one of these today on a young Oak tree. Never seen one before, cute little critter.
vapourer moth
Ive been very interested to find out what this caterpillar was!
Its been living on my raspberry plant.cute looking really.
????
yesterday my mum and i found one in the bushes we wondered what it was(quite freaky looking) and it’s only june and they are only out to july-september this species of moth has a irratant to yourn skin so be carefull !!:)<3
what a beauty
I found one on my strawberries,never seen one before.
cutie
are they poisonious
Vapourer Moth Caterpillar are they Poisonous
Not to my knowledge, like all hairy caterpillars they can cause irritation to the skin and for some people who are allergic or susceptible it can cause a bad skin reaction.
I’ve looked up online and some people report there finger tips going numb, rash or bumping on the skin, depending on the individual some have treated the condition with a insect sting cream others have had to go to the doctor for antibiotics.
If you do have any symptom and your worried after contact with an insect best advice would be to go to your doctor.
Has a side note if you do touch one by mistake obviously avoid touching you eyes, you don’t want the airs in your eyes.
Best thing to do is to admire the Vapourer moth caterpillar from afar and not to handle them directly or any other hairy caterpillar for that matter.
Hairy Caterpillar protect themselves by shedding there hairs which can be breathered in or penatrate the skin causing itching, irritation or infection.
I don’t think any caterpillar in the UK is fatal to humans, I search the web and couldn’t get a straight answer to any caterpillar in the UK being poisonous, the fact I didn’t stumble upon any cases where someone had a fatal encounter with a Vapourer moth caterpillar indicates they are more than likely not poisonous.
Like I said best bet don’t touch them.
Marie
Vapourer Moth Caterpillar Photograph
Vapourer moth caterpillar
I am a victim of the not so cute caterpillar I have them on my raspberry bushes.I wear a glove on one hand to hold on to the stems whilst I pick But I will not be wearing shorts and tank tops again as I had a bad reaction from the beasts and I am covered in a itchy, red welt rash Do not scratch as it spreads.I had to get medical attention and now I’m on antibiotics!!
I have an organic garden so I cann’t spray, I throw them out on to the road!
But watch out for the little hairy buggers they might look funky and cute they are not!!
Vapourer Moth Caterpillar Photograph
Infestation
We have an infestation of these at the back of our building in East London I was wondering what these were and assumed they were months and now I know. Looks like we’ll have the done problem when they all turn into months they’ll be everywhere but hey they are harmless.
Vapouror moth caterpillar
Found about 15 so far on some pelargoniums, they are eating through the leaves. They are really enjoying them.
I will try and add photo’s of the leaves and of some of the caterpillars.
Goderich Ont.Canada
I found one of these funky looking creatures well i was camping with the family. Only it had alot more yellow on the body with 2 red dots on its back. Other then that it looks the same. I have a pic but cant upload it….
Leave a reply to Vapourer Moth Caterpillar Photograph