A reader reached out to us because she believes her sister was bitten by a worm-like organism. She sent us a couple of photographs and would like us to identify the creature if possible:
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The specimen is probably just over an inch long. It is dark green with a darker stripe down its side and a black head. She also sent us a photograph of the specimen upside down:
After examining both photos, we are confident that this organism is a cutworm. Cutworms are the larvae (or caterpillars) of several species of night-flying moths that belong to the family Noctuidae. They get their name “cutworm” because they are known to cut down young plants at the the surface (or sometimes below the surface level) while feeding. Other species of cutworms don’t “cut” young plants, but instead move up the plant and feed on the foliage, buds, and shoots. When present in large numbers, they can be detrimental to a field of young crops. Since cutworms are general feeders, they attack and feed on a wide variety of plants. Some plants that fall victim to the cutworm include bean, cabbage, carrot, corn, lettuce, tomato, potato, pepper, and many more.
While the cutworm our reader found is green, others are brown, black, grey, or even pink! We aren’t sure which species of cutworm our reader discovered. While caterpillars aren’t necessarily known to bite, they can cause an uncomfortable sting, which could be what our reader’s sister felt. However, caterpillar stings are often the result of bare human skin rubbing against the spines of hairs of a caterpillar. Cutworms don’t have hairs or spines, but we suppose her skin might have simply reacted badly with the encounter. Caterpillar stings aren’t usually a serious injury, but if she is experiencing severe pain or bad blistering, she should contact her health provider.
In summary, one of our readers reached out to us about a green worm-like organism that bit her sister. We believe the creature in question is a cutworm! Cutworms don’t typically bite, but we suppose her sister’s skin could have reacted badly to the encounter.
All About Worms is always free, always reader-supported, we don't subject you to ads or annoying video pop-ups. But it does cost us money out of our pocket to keep the site going (nearly 20 years so far!) So your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP Publishing.
I got bit by this same looking worm on my bed! Good thing it woke me, I found it under my pillow and it bit my arm. It stings and I currently have a blood dot where I was bitten and the surrounding area is red like if I got a sun burn, but it hurts! ?
After searching endlessly I found this article. I too was bitten by what I believe is the same type of creature. A green Cutworm. I was watering my plants and felt something biting me. I could feel a bite then another bite and I looked down to see this green worm that reminded me of an inch worm. There were no spikes or hair on it but wow did it hurt. I knocked it off with a blast of water and stomped on it and my ankle was burning where I was bit. As time went on it continued to burn and by evening I had what looks like a burn, as if a hot poker touched my skin. By the next day it was 1/4 inch long of a burn. It is now scabbed over and healing but beware of a small green inch worm looking thing. I swear I could feel it actually biting my ankle chomp by chomp.