On a windy day I noticed this caterpillar while taking out the trash, I think it fell out from an overhead tree and landed on our trash can. It was busy walking all around and seemed okay with its new location. Though gusts of wind would make it stop for a few seconds waiting for its surroundings to calm. Hah just glad it fell on my trash can and not down my shirt or something when walking by. I got out my new camera and using my macro lens I took a series of pictures and captured some video, though I will share that later.
 Camera Model | Lumix GH6 |
|---|---|
 Lens | Olympus MSC ED M. 60mm Macro lens |
 Filter | none |
 Aperture | f/9 |
 Shutter Speed | 1/125 sec |
 Film Speed | 2000 |
 Spectrum | Visual Light |
 Wavelength | 380 through 700 nanometers |
 Location | North Georgia USA. |
More info on this type of larva:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgyia_leucostigma
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1324
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/whitemarked-tussock-moth
https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/whitemarked-tussock-moth/
This caterpillar will form into a moth that has rather large looking eye brows. Hah maybe some the larval form represents the final form as well. I am not sure if I have seen the moth form of them around, besides their large eye brow thingies they look pretty average for a moth.
I did not touch it, as from what I have read its hairs can cause an allergic reaction.
Not sure which hairs cause problems if touched so I avoided them all.
Due to how calmly it just walked around it probably is poisonous. Its hairs should stop most curious critters like myself though.
Those red dots on its back are "defensive glands" though not sure of their purpose. Maybe they spray out a liquid or something like that.
It has some interesting features such as its red head, its tail and two fuzzy parts coming out from its head. Also those four puff balls on its back. It was quite interesting just to watch.
The caterpillar walked around for a few minutes, and eventually dropped onto my tripod. I used a twig to help it off so it did not start crawling on my new camera.. hehe It then walked around on the ground for awhile. I made note of where I saw it last so I did not step on it. But eventually it just walked off and left the area.
I have some video as well, will post that content soon as well. For now just some pictures I took while I checked it out came out good and wanted to share them with the Hive community.