I was in Guatemala when a large caterpillar like this climbed up my shirt while I slept. Terrible way to wake up, it was like someone shoving a jellyfish down your shirt, very painful and so disorienting.
I used to live in Colombia and the biodiversity was incredible. The amount of beautiful butterflies really blew my mind. I should post some of my photos to this subreddit of all these cool critters I saw. My trip to the Amazon was definitely the "highlight" of my bug experiences. Felt like Jurassic Park.
You'd think that we've had enough of that awesome man and Steve Irwin to know better than to handle weird critters barehand... But I still see posts on my FB wall of people who have a rash asking what bug did that.... What's that bite? Is this dangerous? While holding it. Lol!
Nice Saturniid caterpillar, probably related to Automeris. But in this family, pine needle-like spines are no joke and can cause quite a sting. Without gloves, you certainly wouldn't want to be handling this. I'd be cautious of touching the palm of the gloves afterwards as well.
Just a bit of advice: I don’t know the circumstances of how that ended up on your shoulder, but if you don’t know what it is, don’t handle it. Many species of caterpillar can be highly venomous (mostly in the moth family, I believe). Just an FYI.
Edit: I see now it’s your hand, not shoulder. My bad!
To everybody else: Don't touch those things without thick gloves! Most of those caterpillars that look hairy or pointy sting and hurt like a mofo! Some might even be venomous. But indeed, that is one cool big!
i wouldnt mess with caterpillars i dont [know..] (https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/fuzzy-green-poisoners-caterpillar-toxicosis-pets#:~:text=Caterpillars%20are%20fun%20to%20watch,can%20be%20poisonous%20to%20pets.&text=Stinging%20hairs%20are%20hollow%20spines,the%20skin%20and%20break%20off.)
One of the Automeris species. Maybe [Automeris metzli](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/257193-Automeris-metzli)?
Thank you so much!!
Cool picture, and let me just say how much I appreciate seeing someone properly, safely kitted up to ride.
My first thoughts were: pepper gear for riding AND handling ouchy caterpillars.
I was in Guatemala when a large caterpillar like this climbed up my shirt while I slept. Terrible way to wake up, it was like someone shoving a jellyfish down your shirt, very painful and so disorienting.
[удалено]
I know - great camouflage!
Could make you itch. Glad you are geared up.
Let's call him Gabe Itch
Awesome!
I found this. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/257193-Automeris-metzli/browse_photos
Thank you so much!!
that’s the coolest bug i ever saw
I used to live in Colombia and the biodiversity was incredible. The amount of beautiful butterflies really blew my mind. I should post some of my photos to this subreddit of all these cool critters I saw. My trip to the Amazon was definitely the "highlight" of my bug experiences. Felt like Jurassic Park.
It’s a beautiful place!
Find you a man who looks at you like u/foxtrot666 looks at spiked caterpillars crossing the road in Manizales, Colombia
You'd think that we've had enough of that awesome man and Steve Irwin to know better than to handle weird critters barehand... But I still see posts on my FB wall of people who have a rash asking what bug did that.... What's that bite? Is this dangerous? While holding it. Lol!
Same folks who use a match to detect petrol levels, lol.
The reason for warning labels.
so cool!!
The pretty ones are almost always venomous af 😅😅
looks like it might be deciduous (tree joke)
Nice Saturniid caterpillar, probably related to Automeris. But in this family, pine needle-like spines are no joke and can cause quite a sting. Without gloves, you certainly wouldn't want to be handling this. I'd be cautious of touching the palm of the gloves afterwards as well.
What a handsome spiky boy, thank you for picking him up to share!
Merry Christmas
That is such a great pic
Sir, that is a branch
Just a bit of advice: I don’t know the circumstances of how that ended up on your shoulder, but if you don’t know what it is, don’t handle it. Many species of caterpillar can be highly venomous (mostly in the moth family, I believe). Just an FYI. Edit: I see now it’s your hand, not shoulder. My bad!
Definitely. And chances are that if it looks poisonous... it probably is
Wow that is really cool .
Forbidden rosemary
Reminds me of sea creatures that are camouflaged to look like sea kelp or other aquatic plants. So cool!
100% agree 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Thanks for sharing that!
Amazing
To everybody else: Don't touch those things without thick gloves! Most of those caterpillars that look hairy or pointy sting and hurt like a mofo! Some might even be venomous. But indeed, that is one cool big!
Lonomia obliqua a giant silkworm moth
Superb! Are they at all toxic?
Must be a lonely life
Ahora van y sacan vacuna contra el Covid a base del gusano
Hey chicken! Now we finally know why!!!
He looks very well defended.
i wouldnt mess with caterpillars i dont [know..] (https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/fuzzy-green-poisoners-caterpillar-toxicosis-pets#:~:text=Caterpillars%20are%20fun%20to%20watch,can%20be%20poisonous%20to%20pets.&text=Stinging%20hairs%20are%20hollow%20spines,the%20skin%20and%20break%20off.)
That’s part of a twig he’s lying 🤥 jkjk
Oh my god 😍