Can anyone identify this caterpillar for me?

[WollyCobbles]

He's yellow with black horizontal stripes and covered in white fuzz. He has a red spike for a tail!

Any ideas?

Don't touch it!!!!

It's a white marked Tussock moth caterpiller. Their hairs are covered with a chemical and they cause horrible pain and welts.

At least I think that's what it is. In any case, leave it alone.

Eeek - just googled a tussock moth. Never heard of them before. Yes, it says do not touch!

I think you're right? Thank you! He's on the wall crawling about

I didn't think they were common in the UK at all

My son warned me many years ago to never touch any caterpillar with long hairs like that as they are often poisonous. Or is it venomous? Not sure!

Eek! No touching going on. My 12 year old wanted to stroke him - noooo

My 12 year old wanted to stroke him - noooo

This is what happened to me except I was the one who wanted to touch it! I was outside with my children and found one on a tree. I called them over to look at it because I was so fascinated by it, and as I reached out to touch it my son yelled, "DON'T TOUCH THAT CATERPILLAR!!"

My son was really into bugs and knew all about them, but silly me had no idea. How can something so cute be so dangerous!

I had one of those by my front door handle a few weeks ago. I posted about it too! Didn’t know what it was.

Yep, pale tussock. Any hairy caterpillar will give you a nasty rash and some can cause breathing difficulties (eg oak processionary moth, which are horrible and not native).

On the common in the UK question, this map shows where it's been recorded:

species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000006114

More info and photos here:

www.uksafari.com/paletussock.htm

What a fabulous site! I have added it to the butterfly count site which I've bookmarked for next year. Thanks so much for sharing.