You can identify this species by the red and white stripes running the length of its side. In most cases though will give a string, create irritation and possibly be allergy inducing. On a guided tour you learn a lot of interesting facts … Puss, because this caterpillar is as fuzzy as a kitty; and asp, as in snake, because this is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. Caterpillars (Processional Pine Caterpillars) : ... bryanhornett - your spider does not seem to be among the list of regular poisonous Spanish spiders, but there are of course imports, too. In Costa Rica you will find many Butterfly Gardens, or Mariposarios in Spanish. Convict caterpillar also known as Spanish moth is characterized by bold stripes of black and white. The real bummer about these insects is the fact that, even if pets and farm animals are cluey enough to keep away from the caterpillars themselves, if their hairs are shed and accidentally ingested, they can cause a world of pain. Buck Moth Caterpillar Flannel Moth Caterpillar Hag Caterpillar Io Moth Caterpillar Puss Caterpillar Saddleback Caterpillar Spiny Oak-Slug Caterpillar Tussock Moth Caterpillar Buck Moth Caterpillar Description A large caterpillar, 1-3/4″ to 2-1/4″ long when mature. As Tim Low reported last year, these caterpillars are a particular problem for horse breeders: These caterpillars obtain their poison by the internal processing of their plant food. The caterpillars are covered in thousands of tiny hairs which get hooked on the skin, mouth or nose – they imbed into pets and then literally “eat away on flesh”. The Io moth caterpillar (Automeris io) is covered in tufts of green spikes that look like pine needles.The spines contain toxic substances that cause a lot of skin irritation. These can also prove fatal to dogs. Four large projections, called tubercules, are covered in numerous poisonous … This green type of caterpillar starts life as orange worm before turning lime green. Avoid exercising pets in the pine forests until the end of April. Other exotic caterpillars have poisonous spines and hairs on their body which are designed to ward off predators. Caterpillars of the whitemarked tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma, also have a red head, three hair pencils and four tussocks; they are distinguished by their lighter body color and yellow spots. Some caterpillars are distasteful and poisonous to predators such as birds. The species is widely spread across Central and South America inhabiting the tropical lowland areas. Even a non-toxic caterpillar could harm a dog if eaten. The Poison Toad It is yellow-brown to purplish-black with many small white spots and a reddish head. It got its common name due to its similarity of saddle that is designed to hold or support loads on the backs of pack animals. By Bart Coppens “Assassin caterpillar” or, in Spanish, “taturana”—these are the names appointed to caterpillars of the genus Lonomia.It’s a name rightfully deserved: Species of the South American genus Lonomia are of medical significance due to their larval forms that may cause severe envenomation and even death to humans.Lonomia is often considered to be the most venomous … This 1-inch long, bright green caterpillar has a brownish-purple spot in the middle of its back. You can watch the adult butterflies, also their caterpillars and chrysalis. It's a warning for predators that the caterpillar is poisonous. At a glance, it looks like Costa Rica Sphinx caterpillar. The rarely-encountered third species, Orgyia definita, has a yellow or tan …