At first, it looked harmless. Just a tiny, odd-shaped “leaf” on the floor near my front door. I almost picked it up without thinking — until it moved.
What I thought was a stray piece of plant debris turned out to be one of the most deceptively dangerous insects you can encounter in your own home: the saddleback caterpillar.
It’s small. It’s cute, even.
But one wrong touch can lead to intense pain, swelling, nausea, and in severe cases, a trip to the emergency room.
Here’s what I learned — and why you should be extremely careful if you ever spot one indoors.
What Is a Saddleback Caterpillar?
The saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea) is a small but strikingly colorful caterpillar found in parts of the United States, especially the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and some areas of the Midwest.
You’ll know it by its signature “saddle”:
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