Comments on: Vapourer Moth Caterpillar Photograph

By: OntCamper

OntCamper — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:11:02 +0000

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….

By: Graham Davis

Graham Davis — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:48:58 +0000

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.

By: Laura Crossley

Laura Crossley — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:03:44 +0000

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.

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:50:15 +0000

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!!

By: The Photographer

The Photographer — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:47:44 +0000

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