One Saturday morning, while cleaning my car, I reached under the back seat and pulled out something strange—dry,

rigid, and covered in tiny hairs. Curious, I bagged it and searched online. To my shock, it was the shed skin of a Lonomia caterpillar,

one of the most venomous in the world. Though native to South America, they can sometimes appear elsewhere through accidental transport.

Even shed skins pose risks—the spines can break off, irritate skin, or even become airborne. Alarmed, I called pest control. They confirmed the identification,

safely removed the skin, and inspected the car to ensure no live caterpillars were hiding in vents or upholstery. Thankfully, it was clear.

Standing in my driveway, relief mixed with unease. My car had always felt safe, but this discovery

proved hazards can slip in unnoticed. The idea that something so dangerous had been inches away was chilling.

Since then, I’ve been more cautious. I keep gloves in the car, never touch odd objects with bare hands, and take every strange

find seriously. That unexpected encounter was a powerful reminder that danger often hides in plain sight, waiting to be discovered.