Mother Nature can be wild (pun intended). Some of her best creations hardly look like they belong on this planet, showing off bright colors or unusual features. And a few of these critters even earn themselves some interesting names as well, like the hickory horned devil caterpillar.
If you’ve never heard of this bug before, you’re not alone. According to a post shared on the Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Facebook page, the bug was introduced to folks with photos that showed off some truly vibrant colors. People in the comments hilariously shared their thoughts about the unique-looking specimen, joking about the bug’s unusual look.
Fortunately, the post also did a good job of teaching followers about the bug, which included a neat lesson about what the caterpillar becomes once it transforms.
Honestly, you may find yourself looking under leaves for one of these the next time you’re in the hickory horned devil caterpillar’s natural habitat.
The Caterpillar is Harmless
People who run into these in the wild won’t have to worry about being in danger, even though the word “devil” appears in the name. “This impressive caterpillar is completely harmless and is the larval stage of the beautiful Regal Moth, one of the largest moths in North America,” the caption on the post said. “With its bright colors, spiky horns, and enormous size, it’s definitely a sight to see. This one was huge!”
The post went on to explain how the discovery serves as a great reminder of all the cool things that can be found in the state’s parks. “Keep your eyes open on your next adventure—you never know what fascinating creature you might spot!”
Commenters Gushed Over the Caterpillar on the Post
People were mostly delighted by the sighting. “If you could ride a caterpillar into war, this would be it,” one person wrote.
“That has to be the most spectacular looking caterpillar I’ve ever seen,” another added.
Meanwhile, some thought the caterpillar looked a little…familiar. “Real life Pokémon,” one person wrote. Who knows, maybe this was the inspiration for Caterpie?
Others thought the critter more closely resembled a dragon.
Not All Caterpillars are Harmless
The post did a good job of reassuring people that the caterpillar wasn’t harmless, but the same can’t be said of all caterpillars in the U.S. According to The Medical Group of New Jersey, Sussex Cardiology, New Jersey can occasionally be home to the puss caterpillar, which is a woolly slug (it’s worth noting that finding these caterpillars in New Jersey isn’t super common, and they are usually found in more southern states).
The website says that the insect hides its poison in the hollow spines of its hairs, and it can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms when you get stung, including “immediate” and “intense” pain. While you may be more likely to come across a hickory horned devil caterpillar than a puss slug, it’s worth remembering that you should never touch a caterpillar until you’ve correctly identified it so you can avoid coming into contact with some of the less pleasant species.