How dangerous is the Swallowtail caterpillar?

Question

I live in Delaware.

I've seen two caterpillars that look like the Swallowtail (green body with those eyes) before.

Each time, if you were to get a stick, or object, and put it near the caterpillar's mouth, it sill "strike" with these two fang-looking things... The fangs would squirt some sort of, venom or something out too...

It makes me wonder... how dangerous are these things? And if it wasn't a swallowtail, which caterpillar behaves like that?

Answer 1

Butterfly caterpillars are harmless.  The fluids they emit can be nasty.  That's a kinda natural defense again predators.  So I would not recommend putting one in your mouth.

Moth caterpillars can be of some harm.  Moth caterpillars are the fuzzy ones.  Some species sting and some can cause minor chemical burn.  If a person is allergic then they would be in trouble.

Answer 2

Well the  Swallowtail catterpillar isn't dangerous.

Pest Status: Caterpillars feed on dill, fennel and some other plants; medically harmless/

I'm not really sure of any caterpillars that are harmful to humans.