Not Politics... Really!!!

[draclvr]

This is just too rich not to share. It's not important whether you support this individual politically or not. It's just funny! A friend posted a picture on Facebook of a huge caterpillar which dropped from her sweet gum tree onto the deck and wondered what it was. I found it was the larval form of the Imperial Moth. But in my research, I entered "pictures caterpillar with yellow hairs" into the Google search engine. The results at the bottom of the page included a picture of a certain individual. I laughed so hard I nearly peed my pants!!!!! OF COURSE, I grabbed a screenshot! You just can't make stuff like this up!

[RCB]

Interesting Drac.
I googled caterpillar with blond hair and found this.

[LadyKestrel]

Ah yes, the hairy trumpus millipedius, a very rare species indeed.

[draclvr]

There are some truly wonderful looking caterpillars out there. I hadn't expected to encounter the "hairy trumpus millipedius" due to it being a very rare species, as LadyK points out. I wonder what the mature form of this caterpillar is????

[Diat60]

I guess it turns into an ambitious butterfly anxious to spin a white house cocoon.

[LadyKestrel]

I don't think maturation happens with this type.

[RCB]

Just to keep this accurate and on topic (I mean just caterpillars):

This puss caterpillar looks like you could reach out and pet it, but looks can be deceiving. Underneath that long, blond hair, venomous bristles hide. Even a molted skin can cause a serious skin reaction, so don't touch anything that looks like this caterpillar.

[draclvr]

Ooo... good ones! I think LadyK is right though - maturation doesn't happen with this one. But RCB may have the best advice!

[Diat60]

Which type doesn't go through maturation? Drac's or RPG's? Or the one in the middle of the Google pics? Or all?

[draclvr]

I think LadyK was referring to the caterpillar in the middle of my search results for caterpillars with yellow hairs - the hairy trumpus millipedius. A mature form doesn't seem to exist.

I also found RCB's caterpillar in my searching. A very interesting creature which DOES mature into the flannel moth... which throws it's own poop away from itself. But this description of the the puss caterpillar as having a "toxic toupee" does make it easy to mix up with the hairy trumpus millipedius in my search results. Toxic Toupee - The Most Venomous Caterpillar in the US

Oh, the things you learn just by coming to Mystery Manor!

[Kickaha]

Nice one Draclvr - really off the wall! Often thought politicians belong in a bestiary.

[RCB]

Well, seems like I've learned a lot. I never knew that a "caterpillar", esp. one with blond looking hair could hurt you more than an angry hornet or yellow jacket considering I live somewhat isolated out in the woods. Doubled with the fact that it can cast it own poop aside makes this truly a remarkable creature. I'll have to be more careful.

[draclvr]

I didn't either, RCB! Who knew that searching for a caterpillar with yellow hairs would take us on a journey of such proportions!

[JKEerie]

I think it was probably the "imperial"...although I don't think the Donald considers himself a moth.

[draclvr]

Yes, I had definitely identified it as the larval form of the Imperial Moth. It was just so stinking funny to see The Donald's face in the middle of the search results!