Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1122569

Observation date: June 23, 2017
Submitted by: CSRan
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Can only find "moth caterpillar" online for the name of this caterpillar. Would like to know what kind of moth, if that is what these are. There are five of them eating the leaves of my potted redbud tree.... Accidentally touched one w/o gloves and instantly felt a burning and stinging on my finger which only dissipated after washing with anti-bacterial soap and waiting several hours..... It is beneficial or a "bad" caterpillar....????
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: June 26, 2017
Coordinator notes: Io moth larvae can indeed sting if handled. They are a beautiful smaller silk moth. Here is more info from another website. http://bugguide.net/node/view/405
Checklist region(s): Harris County, Texas, United States