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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A green body
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A bright brown patch in the center
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A vivid white-bordered “saddle-like” spot
Its bright colors act as nature’s warning label.
But it’s not the color that makes it dangerous — it’s the venomous spines hiding in plain sight.
Why This Caterpillar Is Dangerous
Though tiny and slow-moving, the saddleback is one of the most venomous caterpillars in North America.
Its body is covered in stinging hairs that can break off and embed in your skin, delivering venom that may cause:
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Immediate burning or stinging
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Redness and swelling
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Welts or rash-like bumps
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Headache
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Nausea
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In rare cases, difficulty breathing
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A severe allergic reaction requiring urgent care
The pain can last from a few hours to a full day.
All from a creature barely an inch long.
How It Got Indoors (And How Yours Might Too)
Saddleback caterpillars normally live outdoors, feeding on leaves of many common plants and trees. But they can end up inside when:
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