What is this crazy-looking thing found on butterfly milkweed?
Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar (Euchaetes egle).
Justin Ballew, ©2024, Clemson Extension
This hairy thing is the caterpillar of the native milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle), also called the milkweed tiger moth. Like the monarch butterfly, the milkweed tussock moth lays its eggs on milkweed for its larvae to feed and develop on. The hairs on this caterpillar may cause a stinging irritation to skin, so think twice before grabbing them. While the caterpillar is very interesting looking, the adult is a rather nondescript, brown moth. The caterpillars show up in the late summer, feeding in groups that may devour large amounts of foliage. Read more about the milkweed tussock moth here.
