Not everyone in Roanoke is someone you want to meet. I accidentally put my hand down on this guy yesterday afternoon.

That’s a white flannel moth caterpillar. I learned that as I hurriedly looked up “stinging caterpillars” because that dude sports some spikes that delivered an awful sting to my hand.

Then he clung on to my shirt so I had to partially disrobe and shake him off. Nasty. Grateful for a pretty private backyard, though.

According to the Virginia Tech/Virginia State Universality’s Cooperative Extension Service, these fellas pack a stinging punch but don’t cause too much trouble for most people. I am proof of that, feeling much better today.

But like your mom always told you, look out for those flashy ones.