In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. The venomous spines on White Flannel moths can cause a nasty sting.
Stinging, venomous caterpillars have plagued the South and parts of the Midwest. The southern flannel moth, Megalopyge opercularis(J. E. Smith) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae), is an attractive small moth that is best-known because of its larva, the puss caterpillar, which is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States (Bishopp 1923, El-Mallakh et al. [citation needed], The venom from the spines is best treated within hours of first contact. Puss caterpillars are the larval … They occur in North America (11 species) and the New World tropics. They occur in North America (11 species) and the New World tropics. It is distributed throughout the Eastern United States between extreme southeastern Virginia and Florida, the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. It has numerous common names, including southern flannel moth for its adult form, and puss caterpillar , asp , Italian asp , woolly slug , opossum bug , [3] puss moth , tree asp , or asp caterpillar . © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. These caterpillars are found anywhere from Washington DC to Texas, Arizona, and Florida to Mexico and South America. The caterpillar form is also super poisonous; in fact, it is one of the most dangerous bugs in the United States. The body tapers to a tail that extends well beyond the body, unlike its relative M. Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flannel_moth&oldid=986108352, Articles needing additional references from May 2015, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 29 October 2020, at 20:57. It has numerous common names, including southern flannel moth for its adult form, and puss caterpillar, asp, Italian asp, woolly slug, opossum bug,[3] puss moth, tree asp, or asp caterpillar.

While the moth caterpillar is furry and some say it resembles a cat, it is far from cuddly. The adult moth is covered in long fur in colors ranging from dull orange to lemon yellow, with hairy legs and fuzzy black feet. [7], Venomous species of moth, "puss caterpillar", "James Edward Smith - Taxonomic Author of the Fall Armyworm", https://www.nbc12.com/2020/09/11/venomous-caterpillar-no-one-has-heard-sends-new-kent-woman-er/, Research on the Asp Caterpillar at Baylor College of Medicine, Poisonous Caterpillars That Look Like Bad Wigs Are Popping Up All Over Virginia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Megalopyge_opercularis&oldid=983406024, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 October 2020, at 01:51. Have you ever seen one of these in person? The "fur" of the larva contains venomous spines that cause extremely painful reactions in human skin upon contact. The larvae are called puss caterpillars, and with their long hairs, resemble cotton balls. On some people, the inflammation and pain can last for many days and cause allergic reactions. Her teachers removed the spines using tape, which was quick thinking. This bug is currently in the news because a 5-year-old child in Texas was recently stung by one while playing outside at daycare. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, The Best Casserole Recipes for Cozy Nights In, Use These Quick Tricks to Keep a Halloween Pumpkin from Rotting, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime.
For first aid, the spines (if present) should be removed by using cellophane tape. Sweating from the welts or hives at the site of the sting is not unusual. The "fur" on early-stage larvae is sometimes extremely curly, giving them a cottony, puffed-up look.

The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. These extreme pain-inducing spines protect the caterpillars, and once the caterpillars turn into moths, the poisonous spines disappear. More important than its varied nomenclature? The moth caterpillar resembles a cat, but it is far from cuddly. Because they are often found on trees and in plants and bushes, keep an eye out if you're near locations these caterpillars are known to frequent. For more information, read this fact sheet from the University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology. They have venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation lasting for several days. This bug is currently in the news because a 5-year-old child in Texas was recently stung by one while playing outside at daycare. It has a distinctive look—so if you ever run into one, you definitely won't be able to miss it. Victims describe the pain as similar to a broken bone or blunt-force trauma,[3] or even white hot. 1986, Hossler 2010, Khalaf 1975). Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. It is covered in hair that hides poisonous, venom-filled spines. The flannel moths or crinkled flannel moths (scientific name Megalopygidae) are a family of insects. It is variable in color, from downy grayish white to golden brown to dark charcoal gray. Southern flannel moth caterpillars are widespread in the United States and can commonly be found on the East Coast in states stretching from New Jersey to Florida. The flannel moths or crinkled flannel moths (scientific name Megalopygidae) are a family of insects. It often has a streak of bright orange running longitudinally. One reason burnet moths may not advertise how poisonous they are individually is that potential predators need no extra warning to leave them alone.

M. opercularis can be found on oak, elm, and wild plum, among others, as well as many garden plants such as roses and ivy. [4] The middle instar has a more disheveled, "bad-hair-day" appearance, without a distinctive tail. The inch-long larva is generously coated in long, luxuriant hair-like setae, making it resemble a tiny Persian cat, the characteristic that presumably gave it the name "puss". Lengthen the lifespan of your carved pumpkins this season.

Perhaps the most notorious for stinging is the caterpillar of Megalopyge opercularis. As reported by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, according to the girl's mother, Lauren Chambers, "They said if that had not happened it could actually cause her whole body to go numb and start shutting down.".


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