Are green caterpillars with black dots dangerous?

Well, if it's this pretty fellow, you'll want to look but not touch. This is Lophocampa caryae, the white hickory tussock moth caterpillar, a native of Canada that in recent years has started to encroach into the US. The hairs in its back contain a venom and are barbed like a harpoon. read more

These caterpillars can be found on woody plants such as dogwood, maple, oak, cherry, apple, poplar and hickory. 8) The Hickory Tussock Caterpillar. These black and white caterpillars are covered in grayish-white hairs with black spots on the sides and black tufts along the middle of the back. read more

Generally speaking, no. You want to look out for caterpillars with bright colors, (the opposite of camouflage,) especially red, yellow, and black, and/or hairs. I think you’re safe, even if your green caterpillar does have a bit of hair. I’d hold or eat a green caterpillar with black dots, any time—-if I ate caterpillars, that is. read more

Some are green, yellow, red, or black; some have stripes, others have spots, some have horns, and some may even have thorns! Caterpillars are vastly different from each other - there is no way to even distinguish a butterfly larva from a moth larva. read more

Generally speaking, no. You want to look out for caterpillars with bright colors, (the opposite of camouflage,) especially red, yellow, and black, and/or hairs. I think you’re safe, even if your green caterpillar does have a bit of hair. read more