I've never seen them before, but today when I went on a walk in the local woods I came back covered in caterpillars that must of been hanging from the trees! I had about 6 on me, and there were two or three more on the floor. I've put them in a small jar with some leaves and hoping that they will survive.

Do all caterpillars do this?

Pictures?

Could it be that they were starting to cocoon? It would seem dreadfully early, though.

Kingfisher

I haven't got any pictures unfortunately. I tried to take one, but my feeble camera couldn't focus down to that kind of size. Perhaps they were starting to cocoon, I wouldn't know.

Hi I am Tibbar14 " im indoors" and I think you have seen Oak Moth caterpillars. When they emerge they roll up the new leaves with silk to hide from predators. If disturbed by wind,predators,walkers etc, they take to their escape apparatus. A long strand of silk which they then rewind when danger has passed.They then return to leaf munching and turn into Torix Moths if all goes well for them!!!!

That's an interesting escape mechanism, I had no idea any sort of caterpillares had this kind of talent. If they were hanging down from trees, they must of gone a long way down to be snagged by people walking by.

Thanks for the info! The trees were generally high above the path, but you do have to duck under several fallen logs as you go through the woods so mayeb thet was where they were hanging from.

That seems more likely than hanging from the tops of trees, although I haven't seen caterpillars like this either so I wouldn't know. I never knew that caterpillars had this sort of escape mechanism, how common are this type?

Well, I haven't seen them before, so I wouldn't think they are that common. It is a very useful escape mechanism though, and we must of just caught the unlucky ones because I'm sure that most of the caterpillars would be saved by dropping from a thread.

Hi all, apology for "triping error" Oak moth is "TORTRIX MOTH" They are quite common but as with all wildlife you have to be in the right place at the right time. Riana, I bet you will see them every year now because you now know what you are looking at!!

Skippy, that sounds like me with bats! I have never seen them around my home here in Washington State, but I am assured that they are everywhere.

Kingfisher