Sarah Gray/Democrat-NewsThis white fuzzy caterpillar with black barbs is impressive as it navigates over the black mulch of a Marshall flower bed. Although it may be a bit tempting to pick them up, you may want to think twice. This caterpillar was difficult to identify, because its black markings were not very visible. It may be either a Hickory Tussock moth caterpillar or an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar. While both may look cute and fuzzy, similar to a dark “woolly worm,” some hairy caterpillars can cause irritation to your skin. They can have urticating hairs – barbed features that can penetrate skin and cause localized irritation, such as itching or a rash.
