No, it’s a megalopygid moth caterpillar (via Science Alert on Facebook).
Image: Rainforest Expeditions (on Facebook)
Megalopygids are also called ‘flannel moths’ (you can see images of both adults and larvae here – the larvae are quite diverse in appearance). I do wonder, after looking at this adult, if they aren’t related to the poodle moth I shared with you a few posts ago.
Apparently the larvae, which are 2-3cm long, are called ‘puss caterpillars‘, presumably because the long hairs that cover their bodies make them look vaguely (very vaguely!) cat-like**. But you wouldn’t want to stroke them. Hidden in all that seemingly soft fluffiness are spines tipped with venom that causes a burning pain, & inflammation that can last for several days – with the nastiest species, in a worst-case scenario the victim may go into shock. So you’d want to restrain the urge to touch, if you came across one (in the southern US, Mexico, or Central America).
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** I’m afraid I don’t think ‘cat’ when I see that image; it reminds me more of a certain millionaire’s hairpiece…
Trevor says:
spines tipped with venom that causes a burning pain definitely a certain millionaire’s hairpiece.
Phil Torres says:
This image is from Rainforest Expeditions on Facebook, ScienceAlert reposted from us.
http://www.facebook.com/Rainforest.Expeditions
Please cite us appropriately, glad you enjoy the image.
Phil Torres
Alison Campbell says:
Hi Phil – very happy to cite you 🙂 It’s a wonderful image!