Urticating-hairs
Guides
Acharia
Saddleback Caterpillar Moths and Allies
Acharia is a genus of moths in the family Limacodidae, commonly known as saddleback caterpillar moths. The genus is notable for larvae with urticating (stinging) hairs and distinctive saddleback patterning. Some species, particularly Acharia stimulea, are well-known in North America for their painful stings. Other species such as Acharia fusca have become invasive agricultural pests in oil palm plantations.
Acharia stimulea
Saddleback caterpillar, Saddleback moth
Acharia stimulea, commonly known as the saddleback caterpillar, is a North American moth in the family Limacodidae. Its larva is notable for its striking appearance—a brown shield-like marking surrounded by white on its back, resembling a saddle, with prominent projections at both ends bearing venomous urticating hairs. Contact with these spines causes painful stings and potential skin reactions in humans. The species has a broad host plant range and is parasitized by braconid wasps in the genus Cotesia.
Acronicta
Dagger Moths
Acronicta is a genus of approximately 150 noctuid moth species distributed primarily in the temperate Holarctic, with some species extending into adjacent subtropical regions. Adults are medium-sized moths commonly known as dagger moths due to distinctive black dagger-shaped markings on the forewings of most species; some species display a conspicuous dark ring marking instead. The genus was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Acronicta insita
Large Gray Dagger, Fingered Dagger
Acronicta insita, commonly known as the Large Gray Dagger or Fingered Dagger, is a noctuid moth found across North America from Newfoundland to the Pacific coast. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856. Formerly, Acronicta hesperida and Acronicta dactylina were treated as separate species but are now recognized as synonyms. Adults have a wingspan of 45–55 mm and fly from May to July.
Acronicta oblinita
Smeared Dagger, Smeared Dagger Moth, Arioch Dagger, Smartweed Caterpillar (larva)
Acronicta oblinita is a noctuid moth native to North America, commonly known as the smeared dagger moth. Adults display cryptic gray forewings with distinctive smeared dark wedge spots and white hindwings. The larva, called the smartweed caterpillar, bears urticating hairs and bright yellow caret-shaped markings. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797.
Aphonopelma
Aphonopelma is a genus of tarantulas in the family Theraphosidae, comprising the majority of North American tarantula species north of Mexico and many Central American species. The genus includes approximately 54 currently recognized species, though taxonomy remains problematic due to morphological similarity among species. Members are generally large-bodied with leg spans of 6 inches or more, and possess urticating hairs used in defense. The genus exhibits sexual dimorphism, with mature males becoming more active and wander in search of sedentary females.
Aphonopelma anax
Texas tan tarantula
Aphonopelma anax, the Texas tan tarantula, is among the largest tarantula species in the United States, with mature individuals reaching leg spans of 5–6 inches. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are larger-bodied with shorter legs and can live up to 40 years, while males have longer legs, smaller bodies, and typically survive less than two years after maturity. Males abandon their burrows during the late summer and early fall mating season to actively search for sedentary females, traveling up to 1.2 km in a single night and covering areas up to 29 hectares. The species employs behavioral thermoregulation, retreating into temporary burrows during daytime heat and emerging in the evening when thermal conditions permit sustained activity.
Aphonopelma chalcodes
Desert Blonde Tarantula, Arizona Blonde Tarantula, Western Desert Tarantula, Mexican Blonde Tarantula
Aphonopelma chalcodes is a large-bodied burrowing tarantula native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are uniformly tan with a pale, densely hairy carapace that gives the "blonde" common name, while males have black legs, copper-colored cephalothorax, and reddish abdomen. Females are sedentary, occupying deep burrows for their entire lives, whereas mature males abandon their burrows to wander in search of mates during summer monsoon season. The species is notable for its longevity, with females living 24–30 years and males 5–10 years, and for its popularity in the pet trade due to docile temperament and relatively low venom toxicity.
Aphonopelma hentzi
Texas Brown Tarantula, Oklahoma Brown Tarantula, Missouri Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi is one of the most common tarantula species in the southern United States, with a broad distribution across the south-central region. Adults typically exceed a four-inch leg span and weigh more than 3 ounces. The body is uniformly dark brown, with coloration becoming more distinct following molting. This species is notable for its male wandering behavior during late summer and fall, when mature males travel substantial distances searching for females. The species serves as host to parasitoid spider wasps, including Pepsis mildei.
Aphonopelma steindachneri
Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula
Aphonopelma steindachneri, commonly known as Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula, is a New World terrestrial tarantula native to arid regions of California and Baja California, Mexico. The species reaches 12–13 cm in diagonal leg span and exhibits dark velvet black to deep brown coloration. It constructs and occupies burrows in open ground, emerging primarily at night to forage. Males become most visible during summer and fall breeding seasons when they leave burrows to search for mates. The species faces predation from spider wasps, centipedes, scorpions, and solifugids.
Euproctis chrysorrhoea
Brown-tail Moth
Euproctis chrysorrhoea, the brown-tail moth, is a univoltine forest pest with a highly polyphagous larval stage. Populations exhibit phenological plasticity, with larval diapause timing and winter feeding behavior varying based on host plant foliage persistence. The species demonstrates sequential host plant utilization during mass outbreaks and shows evidence of host-associated genetic divergence. Larvae possess urticating setae that pose human health risks.
Halysidota harrisii
Sycamore Tussock Moth, Sycamore Tiger Moth
Halysidota harrisii, commonly known as the sycamore tussock moth or sycamore tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It produces two generations annually and is closely associated with American sycamore trees. The species is notable for its distinctive hairy caterpillars with orange and white hair-pencils, and adults that are difficult to distinguish from the related Halysidota tessellaris.
Halysidota tessellaris
Banded Tussock Moth, Pale Tiger Moth, Tessellated Halisidota
A tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described by James Edward Smith in 1797. Adults acquire defensive alkaloids from host plants. Caterpillars are conspicuous, with distinctive tufted setae and extra-long hair-pencils at both ends. The species is univoltine in northern parts of its range and multivoltine in the south.
Hyalophora euryalus
Ceanothus silkmoth, Ceanothus silk moth
Hyalophora euryalus, the ceanothus silkmoth, is a large saturniid moth native to western North America. Adults lack functional mouthparts and do not feed, living solely to reproduce. The species is notable for its broad host plant range spanning multiple plant families. Larvae possess urticating hairs and scoli that can cause skin irritation. The moth has a single generation per year, with adults active from January through July depending on latitude and elevation.
Lophocampa argentata
Silver-spotted Tiger Moth
Lophocampa argentata, the silver-spotted tiger moth, is a univoltine moth species in the family Erebidae, native to western North America. Caterpillars are densely hairy with distinctive black and yellow hair tufts and feed on conifer needles, particularly Douglas-fir. Adults have reddish-brown wings marked with silvery spots. The species has been documented forming larval colonies in forest canopies and can cause noticeable defoliation of host trees.
Lophocampa caryae
Hickory Tussock Moth, Hickory Halisidota, Hickory Tiger Moth
Lophocampa caryae is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, widely distributed across eastern North America. The species has one generation per year, with adults flying in May and June. The caterpillar is covered in dense white and black hair tufts and can cause contact dermatitis in humans through its barbed setae. Despite anecdotal claims of venomous properties, no venom has been isolated; adverse reactions are characterized as irritant contact dermatitis.
Lymantriinae
Tussock Moths
Lymantriinae is a subfamily of moths within Erebidae, comprising approximately 350 genera and over 2,500 species. Members are commonly known as tussock moths, referring to the distinctive tufted appearance of their caterpillars. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution absent only from Antarctica, with notable concentrations in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and South America. Many species are significant forest defoliators, including economically important pests such as the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar).
Megalopyge crispata
Black-waved Flannel Moth, Crinkled Flannel Moth, White Flannel Moth
Megalopyge crispata is a flannel moth in the family Megalopygidae, found in the eastern United States from the Atlantic coast westward to Oklahoma. Adults are active from May to October, with one generation annually in northern populations and two or more in southern populations. The species is notable for its venomous caterpillars, which possess hollow urticating hairs capable of delivering painful stings to humans.
Megalopyge lacyi
Megalopyge lacyi is a flannel moth species described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910. Like other members of the genus Megalopyge, its larvae possess venomous urticating hairs concealed beneath a dense coat of soft, hair-like setae. The species is part of a family known for caterpillars that can deliver painful stings upon contact.
Norape
Norape is a genus of moths in the family Megalopygidae, commonly known as flannel moths. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1855 and contains approximately 60 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Caterpillars of at least some species, including N. ovina (white flannel moth), possess urticating hairs that deliver painful stings upon contact with human skin. The genus is part of the subfamily Trosiinae within the Megalopygidae family.
Norape sorpresa
Norape sorpresa is a recently described species of flannel moth in the family Megalopygidae, first characterized by Wagner and Matson in 2022. Like other members of its genus, the caterpillars possess urticating hairs that can deliver painful stings when touched. The species belongs to a group of moths known for their concealed defensive structures beneath soft, hair-like setae. As a newly described taxon, detailed information about its biology and distribution remains limited.
Norape virgo
Virgin flannel moth, White flannel moth
Norape virgo is a species of flannel moth in the family Megalopygidae, described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. The species name derives from Latin 'virgo' meaning virgin, referring to the all-white adult coloration. It occurs from southern Texas and southern Arizona south to Colombia. Adults are smaller than the related Norape walkeri, with shorter, broader, and less glossy forewings. The larvae feed on legumes and possess urticating hairs that can deliver painful stings.
Orgyia leucostigma
White-marked Tussock Moth
A tussock moth species native to North America, distinguished by sexually dimorphic adults: females are flightless with reduced wings, while males are winged and active. The caterpillar is conspicuously colored with defensive hair tufts and can cause allergic reactions in humans. Multiple generations occur annually in eastern North America, with outbreaks occasionally reported on urban trees.
Phobetron pithecium
Hag Moth, Monkey Slug (larva)
Phobetron pithecium, commonly known as the hag moth, is a species of slug caterpillar moth in the family Limacodidae. Its larva, called the monkey slug, is one of the most distinctive caterpillars in North America, bearing nine pairs of curly, hair-covered projections that give it an appearance resembling a shed spider skin or leaf debris. The species occurs across eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast, with adults active primarily in summer. Both larva and adult exhibit notable defensive adaptations: the caterpillar's tubercles can detach without harm to the animal, and adults display sexual dimorphism with males having translucent wings while females are drab brown with yellow leg scales and reportedly mimic bees.
Pseudosphinx
tetrio sphinx, giant gray sphinx, frangipani hornworm, plumeria caterpillar, Rasta caterpillar
Pseudosphinx is a monotypic moth genus in the family Sphingidae, containing only Pseudosphinx tetrio. The genus is notable for its highly specialized herbivory on toxic Apocynaceae plants and its striking aposematic larval coloration. Adults are large brown sphinx moths with 12.7–14 cm wingspans. The caterpillars are among the largest hornworms in the Americas, exceeding 15 cm in length, and are serious defoliators of ornamental Plumeria species throughout the tropical and subtropical Americas.
Theraphosidae
tarantulas, bird spiders, birdeaters
Theraphosidae is a family of large, often hairy spiders commonly known as tarantulas. The family comprises approximately 900 described species distributed across tropical, subtropical, and arid regions worldwide. Tarantulas are characterized by their substantial size, with some species reaching leg spans up to 30 cm, and their longevity—females of certain species can live 20 to 30 years. They are primarily nocturnal predators that employ diverse hunting strategies including ambush from burrows, active pursuit, and arboreal hunting. The family exhibits considerable ecological diversity, with species occupying terrestrial burrowing, arboreal, and even cave-dwelling niches.
Tliltocatl
Red Rump Tarantula (for T. vagans)
Tliltocatl is a genus of large burrowing tarantulas in the family Theraphosidae, erected in 2020 when molecular phylogenetic studies demonstrated that the genus Brachypelma comprised two distinct clades. Species are found predominantly in Mexico and Central America. The genus name derives from Nahuatl words meaning 'black spider.' Unlike Brachypelma species, Tliltocatl lacks striking red leg markings, instead displaying more subdued coloration with long red or yellowish abdominal hairs. Several species are threatened by habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade, leading to CITES protection.
Tliltocatl vagans
Mexican red-rump tarantula, Mexican red rump
Tliltocatl vagans is a large terrestrial tarantula native to Mexico and Central America, distinguished by the distinctive red hairs covering its abdomen. Formerly placed in the genus Brachypelma, this species was reclassified to Tliltocatl following taxonomic revision accepted by the World Spider Catalog. It is a burrowing, nocturnal predator that constructs underground galleries. The species has established a non-native population in Florida since 1996, introduced through the pet trade. Females are notably long-lived, potentially reaching 25–40 years in captivity. Due to habitat destruction, collection pressure, and high juvenile mortality, T. vagans is considered vulnerable to extinction and is protected under CITES Appendix II.
Tolype
Tolype Moths
Tolype is a genus of moths in the family Lasiocampidae, subfamily Poecilocampinae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1820. Species within this genus are known for caterpillars bearing urticating (stinging) hairs that can cause skin irritation in humans. At least one species, Tolype innocens, has been documented as a pest of blueberry crops in South America, where larvae feed on leaves and new shoots. The genus exhibits polyphagous feeding habits, with larvae consuming foliage from both forest plants and agricultural crops.