See a black and red caterpillar with fuzzy spikes? Here's what to know about it

There I was, bringing groceries into the house when I spotted it.

It was big.

It was black.

It was fuzzy or spiky (take your pick, I wasn't going to touch it).

And it was heading toward the front door.

What in the world was it? And better yet, was it poisonous?

If you've seen one in your Florida yard, you've probably encountered the giant leopard moth caterpillar, also known as the giant woolly bear.

What is the black caterpillar with spikes and red bands?

Chances are, it's the great leopard moth, which is the largest eastern tiger moth. Its scientific name is Hypercompe scribonia.

The giant leopard moth caterpillar has black spikes (which some have described as hairy, fuzzy, spiky, furry or even woolly). It has red or orange bands around its body, which are more easily seen when it curls up in a defensive posture to protect its vulnerable underside.

How big can the giant woolly bear caterpillar get?

Full-grown giant woolly bears are about 3 inches long.

They're black with red spiracles and inter-segmental areas and are covered with shiny black, bristly setae, which are stiff structures resembling hairs or bristles.

What does the woolly bear caterpillar eat?

The giant woolly bear can eat a variety of low-growing, broad-leafed plants, along with woody plants.

Common plants found in Florida they munch on include: Bougainvillea, cabbage, lemon, bananas, magnolia, avocado, sunflower, flamevine and dandelion.

Is the giant leopard moth caterpillar poisonous?

No.

Will it bite or sting you?

Tiger moth larvae lack stinging spines and do not bite, according to the University of Florida.

However, the stiff setae of giant woolly bears are probably effective defenses against many predators.

When threatened, giant woolly bears curl up tightly. When picked up, their stiff, smooth spines are bent backward, which tends to push the caterpillars forward and out of your grip and making it almost impossible to forcibly uncurl them.

When are you most likely to see the giant leopard moth caterpillar?

The caterpillars are primarily nocturnal, but are often seen crossing roads during the fall as they search for places to spend the winter.

They also can be found under leaves or in wood piles by people doing yard work during the spring and fall. They sometimes climb trees.

What does the woolly bear caterpillar become?

After molting, it becomes a great leopard moth, a white moth with black circles or spots on its wings.

What does the great leopard moth look like?

The giant leopard moth has a wing span of 2.25 to 3.6 inches, according to the University of Florida.

Adults are white with hollow black (or sometimes iridescent blue) spots on the thorax and black spots on the front wings that may be hollow or solid.

The dorsal aspect of the abdomen is iridescent, blue-black with orange lateral areas or occasionally orange with large blue-black spots. The legs also have iridescent, blue-black setae.

Where can the great leopard moth be found in North America?

The giant leopard moth is found from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas, according to the University of Florida.

Males are commonly attracted to lights at night. Females are less common around lights.