Nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta) is an insect pest of palms, grasses, and lilies. It is a native of China and was first detected in Hawaii in 2001.
The larvae of this moth has stinging hairs which can irritate skin and eyes so touching the caterpillar should be avoided. It can be found on many genera and families of plants. Because D. pallivitta flies well, it is expected to slowly spread and form satellite colonies as it has in Hawaii.
For more information about this plant pest, see the CAPS data sheet and the CABI data sheet.