SAN JOSE — The western tussock moth caterpillar is swarming Bay Area cities for the second year in a row, and although some residents are getting bugged, the colorful critters are perfectly harmless.
You’ve got to look close to find the caterpillars, but inching along on tree bark and noshing on leaves, they seem to be everywhere on South Market Street in San Jose.
Their fuzzy fur can cause skin irritation, but for the most part, they are harmless.
"This particular insect is more of a nuisance than it is a true pest," said Andrew Sutherland, who advises on pest management for the University of California Extension.
The caterpillars eat leaves, but don't actually harm trees. "Mature trees where they're likely to be found, they can tolerate a lot of defoliation," Sutherland said.
Large outbreaks of the species usually only occur once every 10 years or so. Scientists aren't sure why they're here again so soon.
