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Photo#466917
Green Catepillar - Automeris io

Green Catepillar - Automeris io
Lambertville, New Jersey, USA
August 11, 2010
Size: 3"-4"
I was wondering if these were harmful at all. They were so many of them all over the bushes surrounding this small foot bridge.

Moved
This species has an impressive geographic range, from tropical rain forest in thesouth to the frigid climate in your area. Still, it seems late in the year to find these out and about in the garden. Could you please add the collection date to the post so that we have a record of it? That will help to track data on BugGuide. Thanks!

Moved from ID Request.

 
I'm pretty sure the date was
I'm pretty sure the date was August 11, 2010. That's what the original file says from the camera, but I'm not sure if his camera is set right. I'll find out for sure before I add it to the post.

As Jody said...
These can deliver a painful sting if handled, but they are not a 'major defoliator' of plant species, as far as I know. Their adult forms, the Io Moth, are very beautiful and our local owls, bats and Nightjars seem to relish them during the summer.

The sting from the spines is similar to an intense form of Stinging Nettle. Believe me, I know this first hand! But they are a lovely and interesting species that doesn't really pose any REAL danger. Just a very painful lesson for any who try to handle or eat them.

Automeris io- It can sting, b
Automeris io- It can sting, but it's not dangerous as far as I know.

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