Hello, and thanks for using the Ask an Expert System,

The caterpillar in your photo is most likely a Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa caryae. This caterpillar eats leaves on a variety of trees and shrubs. They rarely do any serious damage to the plants they eat except in very large populations. The recommended non-toxic way to get rid of them is to pick them off the plant by hand. However they do produce a toxin that is released through their spines that can cause allergic reactions in sensitized people. If you do decide to collect them by hand wear sturdy gloves or pick them up with tongs or tweezers. The collected caterpillars can be bagged and deposited in the trash.

For more information on tussock moth caterpillars from the University of Maine Extension   [click here]

If you have additional questions you can call the Blair County Master Gardener’s hotline.  Garden Line is a free service offered through the Penn State Extension office to help Blair County residents with gardening questions and concerns. For contact information for the Garden Line [click here]