Does anyone know what this is?

[Casey B]

I found this on my shed yesterday and cannot figure out what it is. When I touch it, the thing balled up.



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[Keith Lewis]

tribble???

 

[EddieS'04]

Looks like some sort of Asp...usually see them in trees though..

 

[TerryandPam Wallace]

Captain Kirk would be very proud of you.

 

[Michael Hale]

I wouldn't touch it. It can sting like the dickens.

 

[Casey B]

Tribble? Asp? I don't know.



Both pics are about the actual size of the insect. The hair was similar to a gerbil. Underside was like a caterpillar. White markings, orange down the spine, tail. I've seen a lot of insects here in GA but nothing like this. His defense was definitely to play dead.

 

[Keith Lewis]

Look up the puss moth caterpillar...nasty little sucker

 

[A K]

Puss moth caterpillars can pose a genuine health hazard. Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. Stings on the arm may also result in pain in the axillary (armpit) region. Erythematous (blood-colored) spots may appear at the site of the sting. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, intense abdominal distress, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress. Pain usually subsides within an hour and spots disappear in a day or so -- however, with a larger dose of the venom, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to last up to 5 days.

Squash the thing. With a hammer.

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

It's a baby wookie. When you start seeing ones that look like little Jabba Da Huts get out of there!!



I've seen them before and as stated, squash em.

 

[EddieS'04]

I meant to say they will sting you..hammer time for sure...

 

[A1cntrler]

Dang... That thing gives me the Heebie Jeebies.... I can feel them crawling on me now...



Maybe you should beer batter him and deep fry em. Deep Frying makes everything better!

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Let's see people eat those on Fear Factor.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

WTF!!! I hope those ONLY show up South of the Mason-Dixson.

 

[Jim Dolinski]

check this link

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

There you go Nelson! That would be one thing I would not eat that they've had on there. I've eaten ALOT of wierd stuff in my life, and not much of the stuff they eat on there would bother me. Now a catapillar with hair like a rat? I don't think I'd get that down.

 

[Casey B]

I was handling it with a couple of sticks. I let it go but now I know. Usually I don't kill things outside of the house. From what you guys are saying I will kill any one of those I see. My 2 year old son is playing in the back yard all the time. Here he is now







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[B M]

Nice find, but use caution. That little bugger is a Puss Caterpillar. Do a search on it, read casually, get the hammer mentioned above, and yes.......kill it ! ! ! I spent quite a bit of time, in less then hospitable places, and these were amoung our neighbors. If you have kids show them too, let them know it isn't a fuzzy toy. C'ya.. Be careful

 

[Mike Wilson]

Dr. McCoy says "Kill it with a Hammer":



"Killer Tribble Family"



Phasers on "Desintegrate". (If you are lucky enough to have a Phaser lying around)!

 

[Casey B]

Found this and submitted my encounter.

 

[FlipTrac_511]

Unreal. I thought it was all a joke. I thought only deep-sea creatures can look so 'alien'. And you say your pics are about actual size??? So, if it's a caterpillar, then does it eventually turn into something only Godzilla can defeat? What about a "queen" tree-asp? How big and bad could she be? It must be something we haven't seen yet. Heck, nuke it from orbit...it's the only way to be sure...