I found a caterpillar that is white with a few long black hairs. What is it?

Question

I found a caterpillar outside today that I have never seen before in my life. I have lived in NJ for almost my entire life & played with my fair share of bugs but this one is new to me. It was on a tree eating a leaf. I didn't see any other caterpillars (of any color) in the tree or the surrounding area.

It is a fluffy white and about 1-½ inches long. Most of the white fluff is rather short, more like fuzz than hair. Near to the legs, the white is a bit longer. It has 5 "tufts" of long black hairs that are just a bit more than ¼ inch long. Each tufts has 5 to 10 hairs in it (it's hard to tell, I'm nervous about getting too close to it). Each tufts has just a few fine, long white hairs, so fine that I almost didn't see them. 4 of the tufts are located toward one end of the caterpillar arranged in two pairs. The other tuft is on the other end. (I'm not sure which end is front or back.)

Answer 1

Maybe these will help -

http://www.einsteins-emporium.com/life/a...

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/

http://www.insectimages.org/

Answer 2

It probably belongs to the family Lymantriidae.  The tufts of hair may sting.  Each tree species has a separate species of moth.  Although the color of the hairs may be distinct the keys use the tuft paters and legs to classify.  What type of tree was it on?

Answer 3

I know what you are talking about but i not sure.