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Saturday, September 18, 2010

Spotted Apatelodes Caterpillar (Apatelodes torrefacta)

Hard to miss this bright  furry yellow caterpillar, about 5cm long. A few long black lashes on the back and rear make it another unique caterpillar. The Spotted Apatelodes is an uncommon moth for this part of Canada, north eastern USA is more typical.
Spotted September 14, 2010, Cole Harbour Heritage Trail.
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118 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 21, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    We found one today on our sidewalk in Layton Utah. It is unmistakably this caterpillar

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  2. LyttleChickadeeSeptember 3, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    Found one today in Nova Scotia, Canada. (The Valley)

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 10, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    We found one today on our driveway in McMinnville, TN! That's definitely it!

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  4. UnknownSeptember 12, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Found one in today on my front step in Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada!

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  5. UnknownSeptember 16, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Found one in Cartersville, Ga crawling on the side of my log cabin.

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  6. Ms. RodgersSeptember 23, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    Found one today crawling on my house in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

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  7. UnknownSeptember 26, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    We found one on a Silver Maple tree at our school in Suttons Bay, Michigan.

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  8. AnonymousJune 19, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    Virginia Beach , VA found hiding in the garage!

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  9. UnknownJuly 21, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. AnonymousJuly 22, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    It's not Acronicta americana ?

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 26, 2020 at 9:07 PM

      Yes! The American Dagger Moth. The spine pattern is distinctive.

      Delete
  11. JoshuaJuly 23, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Saw one of these at a playground in ridgewood queens. Hope he made it across safely.

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  12. UnknownJuly 26, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    Saw one today in Cleveland, Ohio

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  13. UnknownJuly 27, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    One in front of my house in Chicago, Illinois

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  14. AnAshleyLJuly 29, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    My niece spotted one of these crawling down a maple tree in my backyard today. God is that a cute caterpillar!

    New Hampshire

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  15. UnknownAugust 3, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Found one lounging on our front porch in Stafford, Virginia!

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  16. malildudeAugust 3, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    Just spotted one in Morton Grove, IL

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  17. Family comes firstAugust 5, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    We found one in River Vale, N.J. Our daughter wants to see it change into a moth. What should we feed it? Any other suggestions?

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  18. AnonymousAugust 5, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    I found one on my doormat in Eatontown, NJ... as soon as i put it in the small bug cage it made a chrysalis!! Can't wait to see what it will become!

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  19. UnknownAugust 5, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    My daughter found one in front of her apartment in Chicago, Illinois

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  20. Smart ChristyAugust 5, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    Backyard on buckeye tree...Minneapolis, Minnesota

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  21. UnknownAugust 8, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    One on my house today Omaha Ne

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  22. AnonymousAugust 8, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    Saw one in SW Michigan. Pretty!

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  23. UnknownAugust 15, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    Spotted one in my backyard today in Wilmington, DE.

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  24. UnknownAugust 18, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    Found in Lexington, Ky!

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  25. RyanAugust 18, 2013 at 9:44 PM

    I found one of these in Hamilton Ontario. Just this Week

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  26. LarissaAugust 20, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Just spotted one in Durham, NC!

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  27. UnknownAugust 29, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    One approached me while eating lunch at the park today.
    Buford, Georgia
    This guy traveled a long way from Canada

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  28. UnknownSeptember 1, 2013 at 2:28 PM

    Found one today in Transfer, PA (Western PA).

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  29. UnknownSeptember 6, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    Just found one of these in Northport NS.

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  30. KJGSeptember 7, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    Had one crawling in my driveway in Royal Oak, MI

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  31. gwSeptember 9, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    Just found one on our front walk in Appleton, WI. First one we've seen - very cool!

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  32. UnknownSeptember 14, 2013 at 1:16 PM

    Found one on our sidewalk, Int'l falls MN!

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  33. Witty MumSeptember 22, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Found one of these in Toronto Canada in August on my front door! I had no idea what it was! super cool and cute

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  34. Witty MumSeptember 22, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Found one of these in Toronto Canada in August on my front door! I had no idea what it was! super cool and cute

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  35. Crystal RobertsSeptember 23, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    These are all over my yard right outside Omaha, NE.

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  36. JacqiSeptember 24, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    Saw one today on my front step in Lawrenceville, GA. Where should I move him to? I put him in the grass several hours ago but he hasn't gone far :(

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  37. UnknownSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    This was found on my pillow!! I live in Alabama. Its not so cute when its in your home.

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  38. CSeptember 29, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    lots of these on Sears Island ME yesterday....

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  39. UnknownOctober 26, 2013 at 10:17 PM

    found one of these today in our front yard, my brother picked it up and let the kids watch it crawl up his arm (had long sleeves on), and it spit this gooey stuff on his arm. ln no time, his arm was covered in welts and water blisters, what luck! don't know if he was allergic, but I wouldn't pick them up or let kids handle them .

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  40. tjmailletAugust 19, 2014 at 1:33 AM

    found one in my parent back yard two days ago, scared the hell out of me never seen it in my life. this was in sudbury ontario

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  41. UnknownAugust 20, 2014 at 5:05 PM

    Found one of these to day on my lawn in Brampton Ontario

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  42. Matt & LyndaAugust 22, 2014 at 8:44 AM

    This is actually an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar, and it's poisonous. Don't touch.

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  43. UnknownAugust 28, 2014 at 1:22 PM

    Found one in Saint Paul, Minnesota

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  44. UnknownSeptember 23, 2014 at 2:23 PM

    Found two together in Colorado Springs, CO

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  45. UnknownAugust 23, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    Spotted Apatelodes Caterpillar actually has longer silkier yellow fur. This picture is of the American Dagger Moth and like the reader above said, this is poisonous to the touch. Hollow spines break open and release toxin, very uncomfortable.

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  46. UnknownMay 3, 2016 at 4:06 PM

    I use to play with them as a kid and I lived in Lovell, Wyoming. We had hundreds of them in our boxelder tree.

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  47. UnknownMay 3, 2016 at 4:07 PM

    I use to play with them as a kid and I lived in Lovell, Wyoming. We had hundreds of them in our boxelder tree.

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  48. Sheila PageJuly 13, 2016 at 8:48 AM

    July 13, 2016 we found one on our porch in Richmond, IN, USA

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  49. UnknownJuly 23, 2016 at 9:20 AM

    I found one in northern Indiana in a town called wanatah it fell on me from a tree when I was walking underneath it and hung onto the back of my collar on my shirt

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  50. UnknownJuly 23, 2016 at 9:20 AM

    I found one in northern Indiana in a town called wanatah it fell on me from a tree when I was walking underneath it and hung onto the back of my collar on my shirt

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  51. UnknownJuly 23, 2016 at 9:20 AM

    I found one in northern Indiana in a town called wanatah it fell on me from a tree when I was walking underneath it and hung onto the back of my collar on my shirt

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  52. UnknownAugust 5, 2016 at 6:58 PM

    Was walking across our family room today (august 5th), Kankakee County Illinois.

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  53. UnknownAugust 5, 2016 at 6:58 PM

    Was walking across our family room today (august 5th), Kankakee County Illinois.

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  54. UnknownAugust 5, 2016 at 6:58 PM

    Was walking across our family room today (august 5th), Kankakee County Illinois.

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  55. Mommy DearestAugust 6, 2016 at 9:08 AM

    We found one this morning in Grove City, Ohio,
    right outside of Columbus.

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  56. UnknownSeptember 16, 2016 at 2:11 PM

    Found one in Camden Point, Mo.

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  57. UnknownSeptember 16, 2016 at 2:11 PM

    Found one in Camden Point, Mo.

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  58. UnknownSeptember 17, 2016 at 12:31 PM

    Found one in my redbud tree while cutting out web worms.

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  59. UnknownSeptember 17, 2016 at 12:31 PM

    Found one in my redbud tree while cutting out web worms.

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  60. UnknownSeptember 17, 2016 at 4:46 PM

    We have many hanging on our red maple and on driveway - Stillwater Lake (Halifax) nova scotia canada

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  61. UnknownSeptember 17, 2016 at 4:46 PM

    We have many hanging on our red maple and on driveway - Stillwater Lake (Halifax) nova scotia canada

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  62. KelBelSeptember 21, 2016 at 1:48 PM

    Found one wandering the parking lot at a hotel this morning in Bellevue, Nebraska.

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  63. UnknownSeptember 29, 2016 at 3:38 PM

    Found one crawling on a fallen twig in the back yard here in Purcellville, VA

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  64. UnknownSeptember 29, 2016 at 3:38 PM

    Found one crawling on a fallen twig in the back yard here in Purcellville, VA

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  65. PokatinkOctober 4, 2016 at 7:37 PM

    Saw one at our camp site at Robertsville SP. Robertsville is just outside St. Louis.

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  66. katieOctober 12, 2016 at 1:28 PM

    Found one crawling on the front porch in Franklin, TN

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  67. Bloggerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr mannnnnnnnnnnJune 24, 2017 at 7:27 AM

    One was on me at the playground.....

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  68. Just JoyJuly 26, 2017 at 4:24 AM

    Republic, Missouri in the heat of July!

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  69. UnknownAugust 3, 2017 at 7:36 AM

    Found here in Ohio!

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  70. UnknownAugust 5, 2017 at 10:12 AM

    Found in Woodstock Illinois in July

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  71. UnknownAugust 8, 2017 at 12:51 PM

    Found in St. Paul Minnesota in August!

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  72. AnonymousAugust 9, 2017 at 10:15 AM

    Found one crawling on our campsite at Camp Dearborn in Michigan

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  73. ashley829August 20, 2017 at 3:24 PM

    Found one today on my parents' porch in Oxford, Pennsylvania!

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  74. UnknownSeptember 8, 2017 at 7:46 PM

    We found one here in Chicago IL, IT made a cocoon and now we wait!

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  75. HopeSeptember 10, 2017 at 3:50 PM

    Found one today in Churchville,Pa. at 6:30pm.Helped it across the street.

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  76. alias503September 14, 2017 at 12:06 PM

    9/12 at 12:04pm Huntley, IL. 69142. Just took a pic and watch him crawl away.

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  77. aggromonsterSeptember 14, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    Found in Minnesota...

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  78. UnknownSeptember 16, 2017 at 3:34 PM

    Found in Benton Maine

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  79. RoseanneSeptember 18, 2017 at 12:40 PM

    Found today in Middlebury, CT

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  80. UnknownSeptember 19, 2017 at 2:04 PM

    Found one today in Madison, NJ

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  81. UnknownSeptember 21, 2017 at 7:07 AM

    Found one on my deck yesterday in Oxford, Nova Scotia. Let my granddaughter hold it but should not have. Irritated her hands and caused pain. I handled many caterpillars as a child and never had this result. Learned a valuable lesson.

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  82. Merv Edinger & AssociatesSeptember 21, 2017 at 3:13 PM

    We saw one today at Shubie off leash park in Dartmouth. Easy to spot with the bright yellow colour

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  83. JbcSeptember 22, 2017 at 9:34 AM

    One of them hitched a ride on my T shirt in Bissett Park. I had fun playing with him and at home made him a comfy little house with green edibles.. I was not aware there were poisonous caterpillars in Nova Scotia.

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  84. Sheila HulfordSeptember 24, 2017 at 8:58 AM

    I saw one 10 minutes ago climbing around the base of a maple tree next to my driveway in Tremont, Nova Scotia.

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  85. WindySeptember 24, 2017 at 10:59 AM

    Just photographed one in Salem, Connecticut on my walks. Cute little fellows

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  86. UnknownSeptember 25, 2017 at 4:16 AM

    Have seen two of these in Lantz NS this summer with the most recent sighting on Saturday the 23rd.

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  87. UnknownSeptember 25, 2017 at 4:16 AM

    Have seen two of these in Lantz NS this summer with the most recent sighting on Saturday the 23rd.

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  88. UnknownOctober 1, 2017 at 5:17 PM

    just saw this one in Colorado Springs, CO today!

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  89. Miguel ChanDecember 1, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    Acabo de ver una en el patio de mi casa, Mérida, Yucatán.

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  90. UnknownJuly 9, 2018 at 12:40 PM

    We found one in Kansas city Missouri today.

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  91. My donkeyJuly 17, 2018 at 1:36 PM

    This is NOT a Spotted Apatelodes, which, in Canada, occurs only in southern Ontario
    As 3 previous people said, this is an American Dagger caterpillar (Acronicta americana).
    https://bugguide.net/node/view/505

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  92. UnknownJuly 28, 2018 at 8:08 AM

    Is the catapillar poisonous I found 2 today in Detroit Michigan

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    Replies
    1. LindaAugust 11, 2018 at 7:23 AM

      In a sense, it is. The black hairs break off in skin. They are toxic. I've read that if children play with these caterpillars and come in contact with the hairs, the hairs will cause itching and usually a rash. More info if you look up American Dagger caterpillar.

      Delete
  93. UnknownJuly 31, 2018 at 11:24 AM

    Spotted in Maplewood, Minnesota today.

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  94. hydrophyllicAugust 10, 2018 at 1:47 PM

    Spotted in Ottawa Ontario today.

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  95. UnknownAugust 13, 2018 at 10:35 AM

    We found one today while camping. In Dover,Pa

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  96. UnknownAugust 13, 2018 at 12:39 PM

    One fell from a tree on top of my chest a week ago. Have a rash since then, and no meds can get rid of them.

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  97. UnknownAugust 16, 2018 at 7:30 AM

    Found one today in Chesley ont

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  98. UnknownAugust 22, 2018 at 1:19 PM

    found one in our backyard in Greenfield, WI. I had it crawling on my hand. Is it really poisonous?

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  99. UnknownAugust 24, 2018 at 10:19 AM

    I found on crawling on my shed in Gatineau, Qc

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  100. UnknownSeptember 6, 2018 at 12:29 PM

    Found one on my back porch
    Springfield MO

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  101. UnknownSeptember 16, 2018 at 3:04 PM

    My boyfriend saw one in the street today #suuuuurrreee

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  102. PatSeptember 18, 2018 at 10:15 AM

    Found one of these caterpillars today September 18 2018 Oxford NS

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  103. UnknownSeptember 18, 2018 at 4:59 PM

    Found 3 in MacPhersons Mills Nova Scotia on September 18th , 2018.

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  104. UnknownSeptember 26, 2018 at 4:41 PM

    One in our yard this week September 23-26 2018. Lindsay, Ontario

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  105. UnknownJuly 26, 2019 at 8:35 AM

    Found one on my step this morning. Southfield, MI

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  106. Ashleigh JayneJuly 28, 2019 at 8:05 AM

    I think I found one in Ruthven, Iowa?

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  107. UnknownAugust 5, 2019 at 4:00 PM

    Found one today on the sidewalk near my mail box in Avoca, Pennsylvania.

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  108. UnknownAugust 19, 2019 at 1:11 PM

    We found on today! Hinsdale, Illinois- my kids are over the moon about it!!

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  109. RachAugust 22, 2019 at 4:13 PM

    Found one in my back yard today Cornwall ontario

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  110. UnknownSeptember 2, 2019 at 6:10 AM

    Found one today in our backyard, Pickering Ontario

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  111. Concerned Dog MomOctober 10, 2019 at 9:57 AM

    I've been finding at least 2 of these a day in my backyard for the last few weeks. Sometimes as many as 5. Even found one crawling up the wall in my kitchen. I had no idea it was poisonous! My nephews and I have been moving them to the woods away from the dog's reach, without gloves (we use leaves or cardboard to move them, but I have picked up a few with my bare hands). We live in the Fall River area of Nova Scotia. My sister has them in her yard too, although not as frequently, she's in the Dutch Settlement area. My dog has stepped on a couple on the deck, but doesn't seem to be in pain, nor shown any interested in eating them. Should we be concerned enough to call an exterminator?

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    Replies
    1. Jodi KurtzAugust 8, 2020 at 7:51 PM

      i would bring one out to check just in case :))

      Delete
  112. UnknownAugust 3, 2020 at 1:08 PM

    Found one in Woodstock Ontario. The kids didn't touch it and that's a good thing.

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  113. UnknownSeptember 27, 2020 at 6:18 PM

    Found one in our house in Pictou County NS tonight.

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  114. UnknownOctober 11, 2020 at 6:06 PM

    I found one crawling up the front of my house. Have never seen one before. Glad I didn't touch it! I live east of Tulsa, Ok

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  115. MoonShadowSeptember 5, 2022 at 2:00 PM

    Found in Oxford, NS. Sept. 5, 2022. I have photos.

    ReplyDelete

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