Black+white caterpillars are poisonous

Posted by zeez JosephineJoseph rules on August 13, 2011, 2:32 am

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/insects/tussock.asp

Claim:   Black and white caterpillars are venomous.
    TRUE

Example:   [Collected via e-mail, August 2011]

Little white and black caterpillars all over are POISONOUS. they are
apparently new to the area..... doctors say there has been numerous
kids having reactions to them. the rash spreads fast. the caterpillars
have long white hairs that embed in skin and send poison through out
the body. DO NOT TOUCH and DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS TOUCH!!! they look
cute and fuzzy and THEY ARE NOT! Please repost to everyone you know
with little kids!!

(more on web site)

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Posted by news on August 15, 2011, 11:42 pm

On 8/13/2011 2:32 AM, zeez JosephineJoseph rules wrote:

If your kid plays with caterpillars and they die, too bad. BTW, what
species are these "black and white" caterpillars?

Posted by Ron Peterson on August 18, 2011, 1:45 pm

White Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar are not actually poisonous,
their hairs are very allergenic to some people, resulting in an itchy
rash.

--
Ron

Posted by deja.blues on August 22, 2011, 10:21 pm

On 8/13/2011 2:32 AM, zeez JosephineJoseph rules wrote:

If you eat caterpillars you deserve to die.

Posted by enigma on August 29, 2011, 8:56 pm

privat.org:

tussock hairs might irritate some people, but that doesn't mean "OMG!!!
it's poisonous!!!" really, it's no big deal at all.
lee