Caution: Caterpillar Crossing

Caterpillar hair can be a cause of human health problems.

Picture from Jig Zone

Caterpillar hairs sometimes have venoms in them and can inflict serious human injuries ranging from urticarial dermatitis and atopic asthma to osteochondritis, renal failure, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Skin rashes are the most common, but there have been fatalities. Caterpillar hairs have also been known to cause kerato-conjunctivitis. The sharp barbs on the end of caterpillar hairs can get lodged in soft tissues and mucus membranes such as the eyes. Once they enter such tissues, they can be difficult to extract, often exacerbating the problem as they migrate across the membrane.

Not All Bugs Are Nasty

When most people think of bugs and insects, it's usually not very pleasant. They think of creepy, crawly and all-around-icky things that deserve to be squashed. But not all bugs are created equal, and not all bugs are ugly.

A photo roundup from PetsLady.com showed us that some bugs are just as cute, if not cuter, than puppies and kittens! Sound hard to believe? Take a look for yourself...

The Big-Eyed Caterpillar

These eyes are used to deter predators. When the caterpillar feels threatened, it can contract its head segments, which makes the eyes appear bigger and the caterpillar look more dangerous.

The Pink Lady Katydid

This bug gets it bright hue from a genetic condition that makes them bright pink instead of the normal green. They're very pretty and very rare to spot.

The Human-Face Beetle

The face-like designs on this bug's back help it evade predators. While they ponder whether it's a meal or an enemy, the beetle has time to get away.

To see the full list of cute bugs, click here. And PS, TheJungleStore.com is home to some pretty cute bugs and insects too...