While spotting a fuzzy caterpillar along a garden path can be fascinating, their soft appearance often hides defensive hairs and spines that trigger painful skin reactions.
As immature stages of moths and butterflies, these creatures grow rapidly while using sensory bristles and stinging hairs to protect themselves from natural predators.
Contact with harmful species can cause symptoms ranging from burning sensations, itching, and raised rashes to serious eye irritation if loose hairs transfer to the face.
Because dangerous caterpillars frequently resemble harmless species, the safest choice is to admire their striking colors from a safe distance without touching them.
READ MORE BELOW
