Did you know that you can be stung by caterpillars?
I was surprised when I got stung by one on the wolf cliff in Explore the Wild. I didn’t know that it was a caterpillar at first but after describing what it felt like to the other keepers, they said it had to have been a caterpillar. At that point, I was on a mission to find out what exactly stung me. I needed to have a plan to properly complete my mission so that I could educate myself, other keepers and museum visitors.
First, I needed to remember where on the wolf cliff that I got stung. Second, I needed to have a camera on me at all times to capture the creature. Not a very complex plan but it turned out to be harder than I thought. Could it have been a sting and run?
After about two weeks, I finally found the creature. On a small plant, on top of the wolf cliff I found the caterpillar.
Any ideas on what kind of caterpillar?
Seeing caterpillars is not new here at the museum. Keeper Sarah and Ranger Greg have made post on these interesting creatures. In my next post, I will show you other caterpillars I have encountered while out in Explore the Wild.
Think it may be a Saddleback Caterpillar.
Yes, that is definitely a Saddleback. I’ve been stung more times than I can remember. Unfortunately, it’s not picky about its food plant and can be found almost anywhere. It turns into a small brown moth.
Richard, thanks for the information. I was very curious on what exactly stung me.