Saddleback caterpillars
Photo: William A. Carothers, USDA Forest
Service, Bugwood.org
Saddleback caterpillar spines
Photo: Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org
The saddleback caterpillar is not fuzzy, but has a striking green saddlecloth on its back with a purplish brown saddle in the middle. It also has irritating spines.
The puss caterpillar (above) is about an 1 inch long, when fully grown, furry, and gray to reddish brown in color.
The Io moth caterpillar is about 2 1/2 inches long when fully grown. It is bright green with red and white stripes and four rows of short, stinging spines.
Photo: Io Caterpillar Steven Katovitch, USDA
Forest Service, Bugwood.org
It is not necessary to control any of these caterpillars. They cause minimal damage to trees and shrubs.
Rev. 2020