the tussock moth caterpillar isn't the only stinging species. There are the buck moth, spiny oak slug, saddleback, io moth and south flannel caterpillars, with the latter being the most painful.

Between the lines: New Orleans has other stinging caterpillars, but they aren't as common, Lemann says. Yes, but: The fir or live oak Tussock moth caterpillar isn't venomous, Lemann says ...