Caterpillar Poisonous

[Christyb]

I found a caterpillar in the garden the other day.it was black with yellow spots on the bottom and it was hairy. When you touch it black goo or dark green goo kept comin out of its mouth and it would lift its head up!!! can you tell me what this was and if it is poisonous? thanks

[Bramble]

I can't tell you if it's poisonous or no, but it sounds like the goo is some kind of defence mechanism that would at least taste nasty to a predator. Someone on here will probably be able to identify the caterpillar for you. I think it would be sensible to wash well if you come into contact with any strange goo coming from a caterpillar!

[emmz]

It is a shame there is no picture of it. Around here, of late there seems to be a shortage of caterpillars.

Mind, I don't like the sound of that one. I never knew they could do something like that either.

[GuyF]

Hi Christyb and welcome to the site,
I'm sorry, I can't help with id'ing the caterpillar. Your best bet is to just leave it alone, as Bramble says the goo is probably just to defend the caterpillar against predators and as long as you don't get any in your mouth then you'll be fine However, I'd avoid touching it as some hairy caterpillars hairs can give humans rashes.
Guy

[Christyb]

Thanks for your responses and ill try and get a pic of it for you next time am so scared to death of bugs so you can imagine how I reacted. You'll be glad to hear the reason am out in the garden looking at bugs is because I have just had a daughter so am trying not to let my fear rub of on her and its helping me aswell thanks again.

[thunder]

The black or green goo is definitely a defence mechanism and not harmful. Basically it is vomiting up what it has just eaten. That would put me off! But the hairs could be irritant, so best not to touch, as others have said.

henrya

[Twisty]

Originally Posted by emmz

It is a shame there is no picture of it. Around here, of late there seems to be a shortage of caterpillars.

Mind, I don't like the sound of that one. I never knew they could do something like that either.

You should come to my back garden behind the shed there is about 5 different types of them, everywhere!!

I also live in Essex

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by Christyb

I found a caterpillar in the garden the other day.it was black with yellow spots on the bottom and it was hairy. When you touch it black goo or dark green goo kept comin out of its mouth and it would lift its head up!!! can you tell me what this was and if it is poisonous? thanks

I think the caterpillar you describe could be the large white butterfly which are plentiful at the moment feeding on plants of the cabbage family and flowers like nasturtiums etc. They will expel a dk greenish secretion from their mouth parts if disturbed which has a characterisitic smell particularly if they have been feeding on cabbage. They are not poisonous at all though some people can be sensitive to the hairs and even develop an allergic rash in severe cases.