Sep 20, 2023
@strawberry-arcade submitted: Hi there! I was wondering if I could get an ID on this caterpillar me and my archaeology class found earlier this year. We’re in Southern California, and this specific picture was in [removed] (please delete the [removed] part) in March of this year. iNaturalist said it was probably in genus Hemileuca, but nothing specific. Thank you!
Yes, I think most likely the electra buckmoth, Hemileuca electra. Be aware that the spines on buck moth caterpillars can sting! And it hurts. But if they’re just crawling on you like in this photo, it’s fine. Still, better safe than sorry,
