Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae)

Order: Lepidoptera (le-pid-OP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Arctiidae (ark-TYE-ih-dee) (Info) Genus: Lophocampa Species: caryae Profile: No positives No neutrals 3 negatives Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Chester, Connecticut Naugatuck, Connecticut Southeast Arcadia, Florida Crawfordsville, Indiana Burlington, Maine Loch Lynn Heights, Maryland Adams, Massachusetts Nantucket, Massachusetts Craryville, New York East Durham, New York Nichols, New York Barberton, Ohio Fruit Hill, Ohio Glouster, Ohio Dilliner, Pennsylvania Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania West Goshen, Pennsylvania Charlestown, Rhode Island Burlington, Vermont Merrimac, Virginia Chester, West Virginia Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Negative DiOhio On Jan 19, 2007, DiOhio from Corning, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: WARNING: Some people may be allergic to the hairs of this caterpillar. Be especially careful with children handling this caterpillar and then touching their eyes before washing hands. Although I can hold this caterpillar and let him walk on me without having an allergic reaction, if any of the hairs become embedded it will hurt and burn and itch for over a week. I accidentally left my leather garden gloves sit on the front porch overnight and the next day when I put the gloves on I unknowingly squished one of these caterpillars that had gone into the glove for shelter. I was miserable for days. Host plants include ashes, elms, hickories, maples, oaks, and walnuts, but will usually accept most any shrub or tree. One generation. Negative LadyAshleyR On Jan 26, 2009, LadyAshleyR from Oakland, MD wrote: As DiOhio warned, whenever I come into contact with the caterpillar of this species, where-ever the hairs stick in my skin become itchy fluid filled bumps. I found out the hard way when I was a kid not to touch them. I remember both of my hands being covered in little bumps, and them itching and burning so badly that i was scrapping them against the carpet trying to get rid of the sensation. Negative nmmoritz On Sep 27, 2010, nmmoritz from Dilliner, PA wrote: This caterpillar is one I would advise staying away from! My 16 month old son found this out the hard way! Although he has sensitive skin anyway, I too, broke out in an irritating rash after he had touched me after playing with this particular caterpillar. It has been four days, and while my rash seems to have subsided, he is still miserable with his. Not a caterpillar to play with!

By DiOhio By DiOhio By ThomasGary By LadyAshleyR By LadyAshleyR By LadyAshleyR By mgarr There are a total of 12 photos. Click here to view them all!