To treat a caterpillar sting, start by placing some scotch or duct tape over the site of the sting. I'm not sure which these are. The question mark, Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius), is a common, medium-sized butterfly of wooded areas and suburbs that is often, but not always, associated with moist areas. r/pics: A place for pictures and photographs. Puss Caterpillar Stings. This lovely little beast can be found in apple, oak, sycamore, dogwood trees and also on rose bushes, so keep your eyes open. Within this range, they are considered physically one of the largest butterflies. Caterpillar skin can't grow the way human skin can so, in order to grow, the tiny caterpillar needed to molt by splitting through its skin-husk to become a larger caterpillar. Therefore, what you are seeing in the picture above is the caterpillar resting as its new skin and spines harden. Tips. If you handle one of these stinging larvae, there's a chance you could wind up with a painful sting. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. In the summer form, the hindwings are almost entirely black. Polygonia interrogationis, the question mark, is a North American nymphalid butterfly.It lives in wooded areas, city parks, generally in areas with a combination of trees and open space. I looked them up, and see the butterflies all the time.

The mother Question Mark Butterfly laid an egg, the egg hatched and a tiny caterpillar emerged. Questions often start with 'W' words: Who, What, When, Where and Why. Insects are typically drawn to a given area by available food supply, weather, environmental factors (pollution, etc...), water supply, mating patterns, etc... and can be territorial. Once it seems like most of the spines are gone, wash your hands using soap and warm water. If you look for larvae, wear rubber gloves as this host plant can badly irritate your skin and cause a lot of pain! This species is, indeed, harmless, but the … They've eaten several hops leaves already. Most caterpillars are completely harmless and rely on camouflage to avoid being eaten by a predator. Adult Food: Rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, carrion. Florida pan handle. Learn. The hornet can be spotted by its dark abdomen, and its fourth segment which is yellow. Question Mark Caterpillars feed on Nettle, false nettle, elms, hackberry, Japanese hops, and it would be very helpful to know what the food plant was for your specimen. Stinging nettle can be found in canyons and near rivers. Then remove it quickly, so it pulls any remaining spines out of your skin. Question Mark Butterfly … A few of them, however, have evolved stinging spines and hairs. Question Mark Caterpillar Hosts: American elm (Ulmus americanus), red elm (Ulmus rubra), hackberry (Celtis), Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus), nettles (Urtica), and false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica). ... A sting can feel like a stinging or itching sensation and can best be guarded against by wearing gardening gloves and teaching children to avoid prickly or fuzzy caterpillars. Only when these are unavailable do Question Marks visit flowers such as common milkweed, aster, and sweet pepperbush. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar. I think the long hairs sting?

Therefore, what you are seeing in the picture above is the caterpillar resting as its new skin and spines harden.
This is a highly variable caterpillar species, but there is an image on BugGuide that is very close in coloration, though your specimen is much brighter. Help me with this story.