hairy caterpillar
Archaic term for a hairy caterpillar; compare modern 毛虫 (けむし).
See also: 毛虫
In old documents, 皮虫 is sometimes used to refer to a hairy caterpillar.
The historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling 皮虫 literally means 'skin insect', possibly referring to the caterpillar's appearance.