Interesting critter, Ken!
I had not seen these before. Google provides lots of links to more information and other pictures that confirm the ID of this distinctive caterpillar. What surprises me, though, is that just looking at these pictures I would have guessed that this caterpillar is pretty large, maybe like a wooly bear (which does not sting) or even a
Sheep Moth (which does) . But according to
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins ... pillar.htm,
The full-grown caterpillar is brown, hairy, and about 5/8 inch long.
That makes it really quite a small beast, even full grown.
How big is the one in your pictures?
--Rik
[edit]
PS. The photos of a Sheep Moth larva linked above show only part of the caterpillar. To see lots of photos of the whole thing and its close relative the Buck Moth, Google
Hemileuca caterpillar.