Caterpillar Takes Leisurely Stroll Across Cobourg Bridge

A tiny traveller made its way across the Peace Park Bridge in Cobourg, Ontario earlier this week. The Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar was spotted making its slow and steady journey across the bridge, stopping to find food along the way. The caterpillar is easily recognizable by its distinctive white, black, and orange markings, as well as its covering of fine-looking hairs and spines.

While it may look harmless, there is one good reason not to pick up a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar: its black hairs or spines can cause skin irritation if touched. For this particular caterpillar, however, the journey across the bridge seemed to be going just fine.