http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins ... pillar.htm "Tent
Caterpillars - Family Lasiocampidae The tent caterpillars are
best known as important defoliators of forest and shade trees.
Two species, eastern tent caterpillar and forest tent
caterpillar (genus Malacosoma), are common in Alabama. Larvae of
some groups within the family are reported to cause irritation
when handled, apparently from contact with urticating setae.
However, the principal "stinging" agent associated with the two
Alabama species, and other members of the genus, is a substance
produced by pupating caterpillars. Pupation occurs in a white to
yellowish silk cocoon. During cocoon construction, caterpillars
smear the structure with a thick, white to yellowish fluid.
Subsequently this dries and becomes a fine powder which, if
cocoons (See Photo 15) are handled, sifts out on the skin.
Contact with the skin may cause an allergic reaction that
appears as reddening and itching of the contact area. This
reaction seems to occur only among allergy