Fuzzy black caterpillars are common across the United States and are also named wooly bear or salt marsh caterpillars. These bristly critters often crawl out of their winter hiding spots during the bloom season.
Although they may look fearsome, they are not poisonous. However, they may cause mild skin irritation for some people. But you may now want it crawling in your garden making it difficult to do your gardening.
Where Are Fuzzy Black Caterpillars Found
Fuzzy black caterpillars are found on almost all continents. They are adaptable and can reside in a wide range of climates. In a natural environment, fuzzy black caterpillars can be found in forests, woodlands, and underbrush: meadows and grasslands, mountain regions, and savannas.
They reside outdoors where they can easily access food, which is mostly natural like garden flowers, farm crops, and so on.
Common Home Spots
If you are willing to look for them whether to drive them away or exterminate them, here are the most common locations where they are found, so you can begin looking for them from there:
Fuzzy black caterpillars can be figured out by their unique appearance, which can vary depending on the species. Their color is black but may have other colors like orange, yellow, or white bands, stripes, or spots. Some may also have a color combination of black and other colors.
Their body is covered with hair-like spines that give them a fuzzy appearance. These hairs can be short or long and straight. Their body shape is cylindrical shape and segmented, with the body divided into several segments that give that ribbed appearance. It can size up to 1-2 inches in length. Some species may size longer.
Comparison Between Male and Female
There is not so much difference between male and female Fuzzy black caterpillars. Some minor size differences can be observed when they turn into butterflies from moths after going through the process of becoming adults.
Moths: In some species of moth, like the giant leopard moth, females are larger than small males.
Butterflies: In the context of butterflies, females are larger than males, especially in those species that can carry a large number of eggs.
Fuzzy Bear Caterpillar vs Giant Leopard Moth
An adult Fuzzy bear caterpillar grows to a size upto 2 inches while of an adult Giant leopard moth caterpillar can grow up to 3 inches. The body of the Fuzzy bear caterpillar is covered with fine hair which is orange to yellow in color while that of the Giant leopard moth caterpillar is white mixed with blue and orange.
The life cycle of a fuzzy black caterpillar also called woolly bear caterpillar completes the life cycle in four stages. It includes egg, larva, pupa, and finally adult.
Each life cycle is focused on different goals, from growth and survival in the early stages to reproduction. This life cycle helps to continue the species with each stage that plays an important role in the development of the coming generation.
Eggs
The life cycle starts when the adult female moth or butterfly lays eggs on a suitable host plant. They often lay eggs in clusters and are carefully placed to make sure that the newly hatched caterpillars get enough food and access to the food.
The eggs remain stable for a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the environmental conditions like temperature and climate. During the period of this time, the caterpillars inside the eggs start to prepare to hatch.
Larva
After hatching from the eggs the caterpillars start to feed on the leaves of the host plant immediately where the eggs are laid by their parent. The main activity of these larvas is to feed for their growth and development. They feed on large quantities of those leaves.
This feeding causes significant to the host plants in this period. These small caterpillars also seek shelter to be protected from predators. The fuzzy appearance of their body also helps them to be safe from predators. As the period of larva stages ends it starts to prepare for another life cycle.
Pupa
The caterpillars then spin a cocoon for the moths for butterflies closing themselves in a protective case. Inside the cocoon, the caterpillar goes through a transformation. During the process, the caterpillar turns into an adult butterfly after completing the cycle.
This process includes the development of wings, antennae, and reproductive organs, and other changes. In some species, the pupa goes into dormancy to be protected from winter and turns into an adult in spring.
Adult
The fully developed adult or butterfly comes out from the cocoon. Its wings are soft and need time to expand and harden before it can fly. Some of the adult moths and butterflies feed on nectar, pollen, or other things.
However, some species do not feed at all during the adult stage and depend on energy stored during the larva stage. The main goal of the adult stage is to reproduce. Adults seek mates using signals. After mating female adult lays eggs on suitable host plants repeating the stage.
Diet of Fuzzy Black Caterpillars
Fuzzy black caterpillars have specific food preferences that are based on their species.
For some species, the leaves of a plant just aren’t enough and they will devour the buds, seeds, and blooms too. The Star-wort caterpillar particularly enjoys munching on the flowers and developing seeds of the Sea Aster plant on salt marshes.
Honeycomb
Although lollipops are off the menu, some caterpillars do have a sweet tooth. The Wax Moth adult makes an enemy of beekeepers by invading hives to lay its eggs. When the caterpillars hatch they feed on the honeycomb, sometimes destroying the hive.
Grass
Our most widespread species of butterflies choose easy-to-find foods. Wild grasses provide nourishment for Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Skipper family caterpillars a great excuse to let an area of your garden grow wild.
Bark and Twigs
The caterpillars of the Lunar Hornet Moth bore into Sallow trees where they feed on the living wood inside for about two years.
The caterpillars rarely cause much damage to the trees but when they are cut down you can easily see the old burrows in the wood, the width of your little finger. The adult moth mimics a Hornet, but it is friendly and doesn’t sting.
Animal Waste
Skin Moth caterpillars are happy to chew through the skins of dead birds and mice, owl pellets, and guano in birds’ nests. They are one of nature’s cleaners, along with other small moths, flies, and beetles.
You may think of this as disgusting but they all perform important roles as scavengers; without them, we would be knee-deep in rotting carcasses.
Although the sting of the fuzzy black caterpillar is known not to have any life-threatening or poisonous effects, it still can hurt similar to a sting because of the presence of spines. It also causes skin irritation, which is not preferred by anyone.
Signs of contact with the venomous or irritating hairs include extreme itch followed by wheals and a variable rash which may include a burning sensation. Other signs and symptoms include dermatitis, pain, itching, and swelling in the region after the attack.
Other signs and symptoms include dermatitis, pain, itching, and swelling in the affected region. The intensity of the irritation depends on the sensitivity of the patients and the caterpillar species. If the detached hairs are inhaled, it can bring difficulty in breathing. Irritation may persist for days in some cases.
What To Do?
Just in case you are stung by these fuzzy black caterpillars, here is the usual first aid for a caterpillar sting:
1. Remove remaining spines or hairs by using adhesive tapes. Place the tape over the affected area, press down gently, and then peel off.
2. The areas should be cleaned with soap and water to rid it of the toxins.
3. An ice pack on the area will lessen the swelling.
4. Apply diphenhydramine cream to lessen the itching and inflammation.
5. You may take some pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. They will help lessen your discomfort.
6. If you have a hard time breathing, chest pain, you become dizzy, or your face swells, seek help from a doctor since this is a clear sign of an allergic reaction.
Symptoms
The sting can provoke a stabbing kind of pain or give a sensation of burning at the point of contact.
Redness and swelling in the part can be seen in just the same way as that of a bee sting.
The area can also cause itchiness, for which the symptom is very irritable and long-standing.
Small, red bumps or a rash may develop at the sting site. At times, they may even develop into blisters.
Numbness or a tingling sensation arising from the sting site can be radiated in some people.
Systemically, headache, nausea, or dizziness may develop.
Lymphadenopathy also may occur at the local sites in the direction of the sting.
How To Prevent Fuzzy Black Caterpillars
Thankfully even if the fuzzy black caterpillars aren't dangerous, there are still plenty of ways to safely prevent the build-up of small black house spiders in your home to neutralize their painful bites or avoid dense cobwebbing of your home.
1. Drown
If you are not afraid of touching the caterpillars, it is a means of ridding the caterpillars without spraying chemicals or other substances on your leaves. Fill a bucket about halfway full with water. Again, the size of a bucket depends on the number of caterpillars. If it is just a few, then a coffee can might do.
If you have too many caterpillars, you may want to use a 5-gallon bucket. Add some dish soap into it. A quarter of a cup will do if you have a relatively small-sized bucket. Add more if you are using a large bucket.
Really, this is not an exact science, so just eyeball it. Pick the caterpillars up and toss them in the water where they will die. You can wear gloves if you want to.
2. Inviting Predators
Birds are probably the best natural caterpillar controls. Therefore, it's good to make your garden friendly to these birds. Set a birdbath, some bird feeders, and even a birdhouse or two into the garden to invite interest. In case you have cats that go out into the yard, then fit them with a collar that contains a bell on it.
This lets the birds know that a cat is nearby. If you have room, chickens are also an excellent method to rid yourself of caterpillars. They'll eat the caterpillars so that you don't have to deal with eliminating them manually. You'll have to prepare your yard the right way to ensure the health and protection of chickens in the process, though, so this should not be seen as a quick tip.
3. Bacillus Thuringiensis
It is a naturally occurring bacterium in the soil on dead or decaying matter. The bacteria are beneficial in controlling caterpillars since they combine poorly with the digestive system of the caterpillars. More importantly, it is considered safe because it does not affect pets or human beings and even the dead caterpillars do not affect other animals that may eat the caterpillar.
This must be ingested by the caterpillar, so it should be applied to the leaves of infested plants or trees when the timing is right. Use according to package directions, but generally once when the caterpillars are small and a second time two weeks later.
This type of spray should be applied directly to the caterpillars. The soap works by destroying the skin of the caterpillar. To make this spray, one only has to add two tablespoons of soap to one quart of water in a spray bottle.
Shake well and spray directly on the caterpillars. This would be biodegradable and plant-based, so the soap won't harm plants and animals, including other bugs not harmful to your plants.
5. Insect Barrier
You may even clothe your plants with an insect barrier fabric. That will prevent moths and butterflies from laying eggs on your plants to hatch to become caterpillars.
It may be ideal for the plants that grow fall vegetables. In such a case, pollination is not that much required, and covering the plants won't reduce the number of vegetables grown by the plant.
Fuzzy Black Caterpillar Treatments
Contact with these insects or the materials contacted by them must be avoided. When handling hairy caterpillars, use proper protective clothing like gloves or eyewear. Most infestations usually do not stay for a long period and diminish in number after a short period.
If the caterpillar infestations are causing an appreciable problem, a pest control officer can chemically treat the food plant or harbourage area. Infestations will normally die out through the depletion of food resources or predation.
Try Pyrethrins
Another natural pesticide derived from plants, particularly chrysanthemums, are pyrethrins. They become toxic to many pests, including caterpillars. While generally harmless to humans and pets, it can be toxic if taken in enormous quantities. These are commonly available in garden and home improvement stores.
The product is usually applied directly on infested plants and broken down by sun after a few days. If you go shopping for pyrethrin pesticides, most likely, you will find products which contain "pyrethroids," this is just a synthetic form of pyrethrum.
Pesticides for the Garden
This should, of course, be the last option, as pesticides have big negative impacts on useful insects and the environment, but where one has to use a pesticide, ensure it is designed to work against caterpillars.
All this information is mentioned on the label. Remember, in case you have pets or small children, using a pesticide can harm them if they come into contact with the pesticide. Pesticides should not be applied in gardens where there are food-producing plants.
Types Of Fuzzy Black Caterpillars
There are many, many dark-colored caterpillars out there. This quick and easy guide features some of the more common black caterpillars in North America.
This European butterfly is one of the most striking insects on earth. The caterpillar of this species is a rather plain black caterpillar armed with many spines. Despite the spines, this caterpillar is harmless and does not sting.
It feeds on nettles, and in the fall, it sheds its skin and turns into a chrysalis. The adult butterfly then hatches out of the chrysalis and flies off to mate and lay eggs, which completes the cycle. these caterpillars are completely harmless.
Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
This is a large, black, spiny caterpillar. The spines are very sharp and stiff, almost like needles. When it feels threatened, the caterpillar rolls itself up into a ball with the spines sticking out. It also shows bright crimson bands between its body segments.
Red and black are universal warning colors, and predators might well think that they're dealing with a wasp. These beautiful moths, which are large and strikingly marked with black circles and iridescent blue spots.
