It has long been proven that being in the presence of a pet can lower blood pressure and stress levels in humans. While watching fuzzy caterpillars inch along and munch on leaves has certainly not been studied, it feels as if it may have similar calming benefits.
Curious children and adults alike gathered in the Hunnewell Lecture Hall at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Oct. 6 for an educational event hosted by The Caterpillar Lab, which showcased hundreds of caterpillars, cocoons and their native host plants. Almost all caterpillars displayed were native to New England, bringing awareness to the diversity of the local environment.
“When we do a program, we like to have what’s in season, what people can find out and about,” Bridget Burns, a Caterpillar Lab educator and employee, said. “We do try to be as hyperlocal as we can, to have species here that if you, in Massachusetts, walked out your back door … would find.”
There were over 30 stations at the event, each featuring different species of caterpillars, many of which were unenclosed. Each habitat consisted of tree branches and leaves placed in a vase, with the caterpillars left on the leaves to crawl and eat as they wished.
Displaying the caterpillars on their native host plants showed how well the animals can camouflage. Some were not able to be spotted without closer observation.
Several microscopes set up displayed crawlers and eggs that were not visible to the human eye. Caterpillar Lab employees circulated, sharing their knowledge with the attendees and answering questions.
Burns spoke about how some caterpillars only eat one specific type of plant, while others can eat an array of plants in a particular group. Some caterpillars have been drawn to consume invasive plant species not native to the area.
“If given the choice, it seems that some of them are actually preferring the non-native plants,” Burns said. “This most likely would be because … [native] plants have co-evolved to have defenses to try to avoid being eaten by those native caterpillars, whereas the invasive plants didn’t co-evolve with the plants around here.”
When asked what Burns’ favorite caterpillar was, she said the flannel moth caterpillar, or puss caterpillar, a fluffy mustache-like crawler that, despite its looks, is extremely venomous.
“It actually stings you. It has spines underneath the hair that it has on it. … I’ve heard of people being stung by it say[ing] it feels like walking on hot coals or being hit with a baseball bat,” Burns said.
Despite being dangerous, the caterpillar’s venom is being researched, with the hope that it can be used to selectively kill cancer cells.
As far as what is done with the specimens after they have been researched in the lab or shown at an event, Burns says it’s a simple release process.
“Because everything is native, we are able to easily put things just right outside our side door and just let it go about its natural process,” Burns said.
