Poisonous Caterpillars?

[chameleoman]

Are these guys poisonous? Theres Millions at my job and they seem to only eat one kind of weed that grows which is called passion vine. I think i found out there name which is

Orange & purple spiked caterpillar (AKA Gulf Fritillary) - Agraulis vanillae

 

[Solid Snake]

I can tell you that those spikes are irritants, and would make them unpleasant to eat.

 

[chameleoman]

I can tell you that those spikes are irritants, and would make them unpleasant to eat.

I figured those would be a problem.
How about the butterfly's?

 

[Solid Snake]

Good question, I cant answer that though.

 

[chefboyardee]

with that coloration as an adult whatever poison the caterpillars contained is likely transferred to the mature butterfly

oddly enough, wiki says the stings are all for show and dont do anything
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Fritillary

BUT, they are poisonous

 

[pipinschameleons]

I just try and stay away from caterpillars. One time I was hold one and for a week after that I had a rash on my hands

 

[sandrachameleon]

Passiflora foliage is toxic