Vapourer moth caterpillar, Orgyia antiqua
Vapourer moth caterpillar, Orgyia antiqua (submitted by NaturePlus user Pete Turner)
Vapourer moth caterpillars are typically dark with 4 large vertical tufts of yellow hair and some smaller clusters of red or tawny hairs. Some of its hairs also resemble spikes. The hairs of this caterpillar can cause skin irritation and rashes on some individuals.
This species is particularly common in suburban habitats.
Notably, the female vapourer moth is wingless, never moving very far from its pupal cocoon.
