Yellow caterpillars with black stripes are a common sight in gardens and backyards across North America. These brightly colored insects are the larvae of various butterfly and moth species. Identifying the different types of yellow and black striped caterpillars can be done by looking closely at their distinctive markings, host plants, and stinging hairs or spikes.
Why Are Some Caterpillars Yellow with Black Stripes?
The vibrant yellow and black colors of these crawling insects serve as a warning to potential predators that they may be poisonous or taste bad. Some yellow and black caterpillars can emit foul smells or may have venomous spikes that deter birds and other animals from eating them. Bright aposematic coloration alerts predators to the danger.
Are Yellow and Black Striped Caterpillars Poisonous?
Generally, yellow and black caterpillars aren’t highly poisonous to humans. However, species like the monarch caterpillar and cinnabar moth caterpillar contain toxins that can sicken birds or small mammals if ingested. Handling fuzzy yellow caterpillars may cause skin irritation from their hairs. The best advice is not to touch any brightly colored caterpillars with dense spikes or hairs.
What Types of Yellow and Black Striped Caterpillars Are There?
There are many visually striking yellow and black striped caterpillars found feeding on plants across the United States and Canada. Here are some of the most common yellow and black banded caterpillar species to look out for:
Monarch Caterpillar
The monarch caterpillar has distinctive black, yellow and white bands circling its plump body. Two pairs of black tentacles are another identifying feature. Monarchs feed exclusively on milkweed plants so are easy to find.
Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar
Alternating thick yellow and black stripes cover cinnabar moth larvae. Look for them munching on ragwort leaves. Their foul taste protects them from predators.
Yellow-Spotted Tussock Moth
These cute fuzzy caterpillars have long black spikes a wide yellow band around their middle and black tufts at each end. They feed on the leaves of various trees.
Zebra Caterpillar
As the name suggests, zebra caterpillars have broad yellow and black stripes running the length of their grayish-brown bodies. They love feasting on herbaceous plants and grasses.
Yellow-Necked Caterpillar
Identifiable by the black and yellow stripes traversing its hairy body, these caterpillars get their common name from the yellow coloring around their neck. They feed on oak, willow, and other deciduous trees.
American Dagger Moth
Look for yellow fuzzy American dagger moth larvae feeding on trees and shrubs. They have yellow spikes emanating from their black segmented bodies in pairs.
Brown-Hooded Owlet
The brown-hooded owlet caterpillar has a shiny black body with vibrant yellow bands trimmed in white. A red stripe runs horizontally above its legs.
White-Lined Sphinx
Growing up to 4 inches long, these bright green caterpillars have vivid yellow and black bands running the length of their bodies. They also have black dots along their sides.
Catalpa Sphinx
Catalpa sphinx moth caterpillars are entirely black with yellow lines joining up along both sides. You’ll find them chewing leaves on catalpa and cigar trees.
Buck Moth
Several buck moth species have black caterpillars with yellow spikes, bands, or splotches. For example, the Nevada buck moth caterpillar has a spiky black body with broad white bands outlined in yellow.
How to Identify Yellow and Black Caterpillars
Here are some tips when trying to identify yellow and black striped caterpillars:
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Examine the caterpillar’s markings – does it have bands, stripes, dots or patches of yellow?
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Note any long hairs, fine spikes or tufts growing from its body.
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Check whether the caterpillar has fleshy tentacles or horns.
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Look at the color of its head and if it has any distinctive body shape.
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Observe where you found it and what plant it was eating.
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Measure how long the caterpillar is.
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Use photos to compare your caterpillar against species guides.
Why Are Yellow and Black Caterpillars Important?
These brightly colored crawling insects play vital ecological roles. Despite their occasionally destructive chewing habits, caterpillars are an essential food source for birds feeding their chicks. And yellow and black striped caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies and moths that pollinate wildflowers and food crops. So embrace these colorful garden visitors!
How to identify caterpillars
A caterpillar is the larval stage of a moth or butterfly. It is the second part of their four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Many caterpillars look very different as they grow, so weve described the larger stages of the caterpillars growth when theyre often more obvious. Some are easily spotted on their favourite food plants. Here are some of the species youre likely to see!
When & where: August-June. A variety of habitats including gardens, but especially damp grassland, marshes and boggy areas.
Description: Up to 7 cm long. Dark and covered with brown hairs and golden speckles. A row of white hairs runs down each side of the body.
Drinker moth caterpillar ©Chris Lawrence
Drinker moth caterpillar ©Tom Marshall
Drinker caterpillar © Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Young drinker caterpillar © Vaughn Matthews
When & where: June-April, most obvious in spring. Often heathland and coastal grassland.
Description: Up to 7 cm long. Hairy, with long dark hairs on the sides of the body and shorter orange hairs on top. Young caterpillars are dark with orange bands.
Fox moth caterpillar ©David Longshaw
Fox moth caterpillar by Tom Hibbert
Fox moth caterpillar by David Longshaw
Early instar fox moth caterpillar © Frank Porch
When & where: August-June. A variety of habitats including grassland, heathland, fens, and hedgerows. Often found crawling across paths in spring.
Description: Young caterpillars in late summer and autumn are small and bluish with orange diamond patterns. More obvious in spring, when caterpillars are large and extremely furry, with long, orange-brown hairs. There are black bands between each body segment, and white dashes on each side.
Oak eggar caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
Oak eggar caterpillar © Frank Porch
Oak eggar caterpillar © Vaughn Matthews
Early instar oak eggar caterpillar © Frank Porch
Early instar oak eggar caterpillar © Frank Porch
When & where: August-June. A wide range of habitats including gardens.
Description: Up to 6 cm long. An extremely hairy caterpillar, known as the “woolly bear”. Mostly black and ginger, with longer white hairs.
Garden tiger caterpillar © Frank Porch
Garden tiger caterpillar ©Amy Lewis
Garden tiger caterpillar © Faye Davies
Garden tiger caterpillar © Brian Eversham
When & where: July-September. Found on ragwort in most grassy habitats.
Description: The caterpillars of this moth are distinctive, with black and yellow stripes – warning predators that they taste terrible. Theyre easily spotted feeding on ragwort.
Cinnabar moth caterpillar ©Andrew Hankinson
Cinnabar caterpillars © Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography
Cinnabar caterpillar © Niall Benvie/2020VISION
When & where: June-September. A variety of habitats, including gardens. Often where rosebay willowherb is found.
Description: Up to 8.5 cm long. A chunky green or brown caterpillar, with several eyespots at the front end and a spiky tail at the rear.
Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar ©Dawn Monrose
Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar © Vaughn Matthews
Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
When & where: July to September. Widespread in southern England and Wales. Found in a variety of habitats, including gardens.
Description: Up to 8.5cm long. Green and chunky, with purple and white stripes on the body and a black and yellow horn on the rear.
Privet hawk-moth caterpillar ©Roy Bedborough
When & where: June to September. Widespread in a variety of habitats, including parks, gardens and wetlands. They feed on poplars and willows.
Description: Recently hatched caterpillars are tiny and black, with two long, whip-like tails. Older caterpillars are plump and green, with a dark, white-edged saddle. The head is surrounded by a pink patch, with false eyes making it look like a giant face. They still have two thin tails. When theyre fully fed and ready to pupate, they turn a purplish colour.
Puss moth caterpillar ©Vaughn Matthews
Puss moth caterpillar © Vaughn Matthews
Puss moth caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
Newly hatched puss moth caterpillars © Frank Porch
When & where: April-July. A range of open habitats, including gardens. Feeds on mulleins and buddleia.
Description: Distinctive whitish caterpillars, with yellow splodges across the body and large black spots.
Mullein caterpillar © Frank Porch
Mullein moth caterpillar ©Chris Lawrence
Mullein caterpillar © Frank Porch
Mullein caterpillar © Frank Porch
When & where: August-June. Scrubby habitats including hedgerows, woodland and gardens.
Description: Black with long, greyish-white hairs. On top it has a pair of red lines, with a row of white blotches either side of them. A red line runs along each side. The hairs can be an irritant.
Yellow-tail moth caterpillar ©Chris Lawrence
Yellow-tail caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
Yellow-tail caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
When & where: August-May. Scrubby habitats, including coastal scrub.
Description: Black with long brown hairs, two red spots on top and a line of white marks along each side. Found in conspicuous communal webs on food plants. The hairs cause skin irritation.
Brown-tail moth caterpillar © Tom Hibbert
Young brown-tail caterpillar © Chris Lawrence
Brown-tail caterpillar © Frank Porch
When & where: June-October. Grasslands, wetlands, heathlands, open woodlands, and coastal habitats.
Description: Black with brown hairs. Row of alternating red spots and lines on top, with a line of white dashes either side. Row of spots and dashes on each side. Rests with slight hunch in the back.
Knot grass caterpillar © Vaughn Matthews
Knot grass caterpillar © Frank Porch
Knot grass caterpillar © Frank Porch
When & where: May-July. Common in a range of habitats where common nettle is present.
Description: Up to 4.5 cm. Black with black spines and small white dots. Found in communal webs on common nettles.
Peacock caterpillar © Margaret Holland
Peacock caterpillars ©Vaughn Matthews
Peacock caterpillars © Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography
When & where: May-September. Commonly found in a variety of habitats including woodland, parks and gardens.
Description: A funky-looking grey and black caterpillar, with large tufts of hair, including a mohawk of yellow tufts on the back. Large caterpillars can often be spotted in late summer on a range of shrubs and trees.
Vapourer caterpillar © Pete Richman
Vapourer caterpillar © Les Binns
Vapourer moth caterpillar ©Tom Hibbert
When & where: June-October. Found on a wide variety of deciduous trees and other plants, including bramble.
Description: A striking bright green caterpillar, with black bands between its body segments, yellow/whitish hairs, a row of yellow tufts on top and a red tuft at the rear.
Pale tussock caterpillar ©Lizzie Wilberforce
Pale tussock caterpillar © Frank Porch
Pale tussock caterpillar © Frank Porch
Sawflies are a group of flies, whose larvae look very similar to moth and butterfly caterpillars. The larvae are usually 1-4 cm long, but come in an impressive variety of colours. One way to spot a sawfly larva is to count the legs – they also have six true legs, but usually have six or more pairs of the stumpy prologs, whereas caterpillars have five or fewer.
Rose sawfly larvae ©Les Binns
Iris sawfly © Tom Hibbert
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Caterpillar (yellow and black striped)
FAQ
What is a yellow caterpillar with black markings?
The American Dagger Moth is a striking caterpillar with its bright yellow to white fuzzy hair and five long black “seta” or hair-like structures. This moth gets its name because the markings on it’s forewings resemble daggers, you need to have a good imagination to actually see the “daggers”.
Is a tussock moth caterpillar poisonous?
- Non-Venomous: While the hairs on tussock moth caterpillars can cause irritation, they do not contain venom.
- Skin Irritation: The hairs themselves can puncture the skin, leading to itching, burning, and sometimes a rash.
- Individual Sensitivity: The reaction to the hairs varies greatly from person to person.
- Defense Mechanism: The hairs serve as a defense against predators.
- Prevention: It’s best to avoid touching tussock moth caterpillars, especially if you have sensitive skin or a history of allergic reactions. If you do come into contact, you can try covering the area with tape and washing it with soap and water.
What do yellow-striped armyworm caterpillars turn into?
Yellow-striped armyworm overwinters as a pupa in the soil and emerges as a moth in April and May.
What are the yellow and black striped worms?
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Color and Stripes:The primary identifier is the black body with bright yellow stripes, according to the UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM).
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Common Pest:Yellow-striped Armyworms are known for feeding on various crops, including tomatoes, peppers, and many other plants.
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Daytime Feeders:These caterpillars are daytime feeders, making them relatively easy to spot in gardens and fields, according to the Caterpillar Identification website.
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Variable Size:While they can vary in size, they are known for their distinctive striped appearance.
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Life Cycle:They are the larval stage of the Yellow-striped Armyworm moth, which has several broods per year.
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Host Plants:They feed on a wide range of plants, including tomatoes, peppers, beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, and many others.
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Overwintering:They overwinter as pupae in the soil.
Can you touch monarch caterpillars?
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Monarch caterpillars are not dangerous to touch:They are not poisonous or venomous, and they won’t sting or bite.
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Handling can be stressful for small caterpillars:Minimize handling, especially with very young or small caterpillars, as they are more delicate.
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Avoid handling during molting:Caterpillars that are preparing to molt will stop eating, lay down some silk, and stay straight for a period before shedding their skin. During this time, and for a few hours afterward, they should not be touched.
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Observe, don’t handle:If possible, observe monarch caterpillars from a distance to minimize stress and potential harm to them.
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Wash your hands:Before and after handling caterpillars, wash your hands to remove any potential contaminants that could harm them.
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When in doubt, don’t handle:If you are unsure about handling a caterpillar, especially if it’s small or molting, it’s best to avoid touching it altogether.
Do American Dagger Moth caterpillars sting?
The American dagger moth caterpillar doesn’t sting, but the irritating hairs break off in the skin where they can cause hives, welts, or dermatitis. So, to avoid getting “stung,” you shouldn’t pick up these fuzzy yellow caterpillars.
What colors can striped caterpillars be?
Striped caterpillars can be green with black and yellow stripes, black or green with white or yellow bands, or black with orange stripes and dots. In order to identify striped caterpillars, it’s important to note their color, type of hairy covering, and specific markings.
What does a yellow-necked caterpillar look like?
The yellow-necked caterpillar is a type of green caterpillar with black and yellow markings. It has a black furry body with longitudinal yellow stripes and yellow and black feet. When threatened, it rolls its body into a distinctive U shape.
What is a yellow Caterpillar with black stripes?
A yellow caterpillar with black stripes measures 1- 6 inches. Black caterpillars with yellow stripes are common in North America and Europe. My caterpillar identification chart guide highlights the scientific name, features, and habitats. Fuzzy yellow and black caterpillars are stunning and fascination.
What does a fuzzy yellow caterpillar look like?
A fuzzy yellow caterpillar is covered in black spots, white hairs, and black tubercles. It may also appear orange and black, depending on the species. These hairy yellow caterpillars are more active in late March and April.
What do black and yellow caterpillars look like?
Black and yellow caterpillars typically have black and yellow stripes and do not resemble the butterflies or moths they turn into. For example, the black and yellow striped monarch caterpillar turns into the spectacular orange and black monarch butterfly.
What is an unusual yellow caterpillar?
One of the most unusual yellow caterpillars is the giant peacock species. Both the caterpillar and moth are huge insects. Like many caterpillars, giant peacocks go through a number of growth stages where they change color. After hatching from eggs, the larvae are dark, almost black in color.