Caterpillars

 It's been quite a year for caterpillars. They might be just the larval form of butterflies and moths, but they are their own "thing", and my field guides either emphasize one or the other (Caterpillars of Eastern North America and The Butterflies of West Virginia and Their Caterpillars).

Let's start with the "nasties". While most caterpillars are pretty harmless if you touch them or pick them up, the Flannel Moth caterpillar (Megalopyge crispata or possibly M. opercularis) is one to avoid! The soft looking hairs conceal nasty venomous spines. These have been known to send people to the ER looking for relief (Roanoke Times, 9/22/20 and Caterpillars of Eastern North America, David L. Wagner, pp 53-55).

Another flannel moth caterpillar. We've seen quite a few this fall. Gotta keep them away from small children!

These downy feathers were nearby. At first we thought that they, too, were more flannel moth caterpillars. They do look remarkably similar.

Another common nasty caterpillar is the Buck Moth caterpillar (Hemileuca maia). Accidentally putting your hand on one of these (or sitting on one) results in extreme pain from stings that can leave a mark for many days.

This caterpillar was hanging by a thread above our road. Possibly "The Laugher", Charadra deridens. 

Best guess is the Banded Tussock Moth, Halysidota tessallaris.

Perhaps the White-Blotched Heterocampa (Heterocampa umbrata)? Many Hetercampa turn pink/red just before they pupate.

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar (Lochmaeus manteo), or possibly the Double-Lined Prominent (L. bilineata).

Tulip Tree Moth caterpillar (Callosamia angulifera). We've got plenty of tulip poplars (tuliptree, yellow poplar)! (Or possibly Promethea Moth, C. promethea, since I found it on the ground.

Orange-Striped Oakworm (Anisota senatoria)

An early instar of the Hermit Sphinx (Sphinx eremitus)