Sad sad face

First of all, please excuse me if this is not a true Macro Photo...
(and i am posting it not for the brilliance of the photo, but to try to get some help to find out it's name )

When i lived in southern France, one nice hot afternoon i found this little guy in the Bathroom.
It was gorgeous and i stood around just looking at him for quite long time. but i was also a little bit afraid of getting to close.
Anyone has an idea of what it is?

Good capture !
Probably a good idea not to touch it- The hairs on many caterpillars like this can be very irritant.
Brian v.

hey, just got the name from a friend:
It's a Lymatria Dispar, also know as the Gypsy Moth Caterpillar.
=)

Ah, yes LordV, you were right. It is actually poisonous:
- pain at site of sting
- skin rash
. Hypersensitivity reaction
- Eye inflammation, Light Sensitivity and Conjunctivitis (Contact with eyes)
- Bronchitis, Bronchospasm and Wheezing (Inhalation contact)

My friend also told me that, if left alone, a small group of this little guys can eat ALL the leaves from a medium size tree in no time.
Amazing!!

HAHAHA, looks like an unhappy little Pekingese.

Nice catch of Caterpillar.

boguz wrote in post #11616356
...

My friend also told me that, if left alone, a small group of this little guys can eat ALL the leaves from a medium size tree in no time.
Amazing!!

Yes, Gypsy Moth caterpillars are a major forest pest in the northeastern US. I've never seen one this close up before; thanks for the shot!

That's why they make Kerosene, old rags, baleing wire and bamboo poles. LOL

We use to burn them out.

I read today they have tried to use them to produce silk. But they gave so much trouble that in the end people just gave up...

Funny how little slow animal can make so big trouble...