photo #806491

5/6/2019 - Southern Tussock Moth Caterpillar (Dasychira meridionalis)Spotted crawling around on the ground right underneath the shade of one of the oak trees, its favorite food source. The long black, hairy antennas indicate a male. Southern Tussock Moth Caterpillars have long white lashes that extend forward and have a noticeably large black spot of hair just a little ways down its body. If you see any reddish-orange round dots on its back, that would be mites hitching a ride. These little caterpillars have little hairs that will sting when touched. So, don't touch!Hoo Hoo Acres, Southeast Texas