The Extension office recently received a call from a local homeowner who found what appeared to be hairballs a cat had coughed up; except they were alive and moving. Another homeowner had captured several of these 'mystery' bugs in a jar and then dropped them off at my office. A note taped to the cup said, "I found these things eating up my bushes. What are they?"

These insects were puss caterpillars, a type of stinging caterpillar that is common in the Henry County area. They are gray, pale yellow, or reddish-brown, about an inch long, and densely covered with long, velvety hair.

You should pick one up if you are curious. However, do not be fooled by that velvety hair, as among them are hollow spines with venom. A single sting on your hand can cause your entire arm to swell and become n

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