At first glance at these photos, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them as toupees or wigs.
But the photos actually show puss caterpillars - terrifying furry caterpillars covered in venomous spines.
The creepy insects are appearing across Virginia, and can inflict serious damage to humans.
The Virginia Department of Forestry has received several reports of puss caterpillars in recent weeks.
On Facebook, they explained: “The caterpillars eat oak and elm leaves, but they can be found in parks or near structures.
“If you find the caterpillar, leave it alone and let its natural enemies control their populations— there are a number of other insects that will prey on them at different stages of their life cycle.”
Worryingly, if touched, the caterpillars can cause a painful reaction, as well as vomiting and fever.
Speaking to National Geographic, Don Hall, an entomologist at the University of Florida said: “A puss caterpillar sting feels like a bee sting, only worse. The pain immediately and rapidly gets worse after being stung, and can even make your bones hurt.
“How bad the sting hurts depends on where you get stung and how many spines are embedded in your skin.
“People who have been stung on the hand say the pain can radiate up to their shoulder and last for up to 12 hours.”
While several puss caterpillars have been spotted across Virginia, Eric Day, an expert from Virginia Tech, has urged the public not to panic too much.
He said: “Outbreak is a big word, but the numbers are much higher. And definitely the number of reports are much higher.”
