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Posted in Caterpillars Worms Facts Worms Generally

Colorful and Bushy Caterpillars are Tussock Moth Caterpillar and Forest Tent Caterpillar

“Do I need to kill them or let them do their thing?” asks this reader in her submission regarding the colorful and bushy worm-like creatures pictured below. “I am tolerant until it gets to the point where they’re eating plants down to the dirt. If you can identify them and advise me on treatment, I would greatly appreciate it. I live in rural south Texas, Victoria County, zone 9b. The photo on the leaf is about 1”, while the one on the concrete is almost 3”.” Firstly, we just want to point out that the second, three-inch caterpillar looks much different to the first one, so we will treat them as different species. That said, we do think they are both caterpillars.