Fuzzy Buddy

Lately, a couple of our sites have been overrun by cute, fuzzy caterpillars with 'spiky' white and orange bristles around their heads. They are very distinctive, and qualify as charismatic minifauna. This little critter found its way into our breakroom, where it graced the table:

Poking around the t00bz (Insect Identification, for the win!), I was able to identify them as sycamore tussock moth (Halysidota harrisii) larvae, which makes sense, because we have sycamore trees on the two sites where I've seen them.

I caught this little critter in a plastic cup and relocated it to the outdoors:

Our trees are regularly monitored by a contractor, and I haven't heard of any problems caused by these caterpillars, so I can feel okay about setting my fuzzy buddy free. If a problem arises, though, the friendship is OVER... I've loved the big tree long before I even met this caterpillar.