If you see these caterpillars this fall, don't even think about touching them
If you see a hickory tussock caterpillar, it's best to admire it from afar.
Many people associate summer with increased insect activity, but fall is a surprisingly busy time for things that creep, crawl, and buzz.
This is especially true now, with warmer autumns extending the breeding season for several species.
As temperatures start to drop, you may notice more insects trying to get inside your home to hibernate. Some of you may have already seen a boxelder bug or a stink bug show up.
Fall is also a busy time for several of Canada’s 200-plus caterpillar species. During this time, some are about to lay eggs, while others are about to pupate, the life stage where a caterpillar hunkers down before turning into a butterfly or moth.
An upswing in caterpillar activity can increase the possibility of unexpected encounters. Citizens of Sudbury, Ontario, know this all too well: A tent caterpillar population explosion in June saw caterpillars falling from trees onto passersby.
Thankfully, tent caterpillars are mostly harmless.
But that isn’t the case for another caterpillar species that you should be on the lookout for, because it’s active this time of year, and it is venomous.
Meet the hickory tussock caterpillar
(Judy Gallagher/Wikipedia CC BY SA 2.0)
Prevalent in the summer and fall across southern Ontario, the hickory tussock caterpillar is a native species that is about 5 cm long and has tufts of hair that connect to poison glands.
Touching the hairs releases the poison, causing a stinging or itching sensation that can last up to 20 minutes.
In fall, they are busy looking for places to build cocoons they will inhabit during winter.
If you come across one, leave it be. This native species is beneficial to the ecosystem: It’s an important food source for birds and other animals, it helps regulate nutrient cycles in soil and plants, and, by dining on the leaves of several native plant species, it helps keep our forests healthy.
Hickory Tussock Moth larva (Lophocampa caryae). Taken at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest, Smyth County, Virginia, USA on July 30, 2013 (courtesy of Delise and Matthew Priebe /Ask the Animals/Ask the Animals Productions)
What happens if I touch a hickory tussock caterpillar?
Reactions can range from mild to severe and may include:
Swelling, redness, pain, and a burning sensation
Headaches
Nausea
In some cases, people may experience an allergic reaction and require medical assistance.
What should I do if I come into contact with a hickory tussock caterpillar?
Eastern Ontario Health Unit recommends:
Promptly washing the affected area with soap and water.
Applying calamine lotion and ice packs to the affected area.
Seeking medical advice if symptoms are persistent or continue to worsen.