Distinctive Pale Tussock Moth Caterpillar on a leaf against a dark background, showing the various tufts of hair, especially the red hairs towards the rear end. If it wasn't for the red hairs at the back it would be difficult to decide which end is which. Although very beautiful this particular species of caterpillar used to be a pest in hop fields before pesticides controlled them, in fact hop pickers used to call them "Hop Dogs".