More important than its varied nomenclature? [5], The caterpillar is regarded as a dangerous insect because of its venomous spines. Her teachers removed the spines using tape, which was quick thinking. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. The "fur" of the larva contains venomous spines that cause extremely painful reactions in human skin upon contact. The moth caterpillar resembles a cat, but it is far from cuddly. These caterpillars are found anywhere from Washington DC to Texas, Arizona, and Florida to Mexico and South 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 . It is variable in color, from downy grayish white to golden brown to dark charcoal gray. 1986, Hossler 2010, Khalaf 1975). The family name Megalopygidae and genus name Megalopyge are derived from the Greek roots Megalo (large) and pygidium (rump) - probably because of the shape of the caterpi… On some people, the inflammation and pain can last for many days and cause allergic reactions. In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. Its larval form is unique too, and it goes by many names: furry puss caterpillar, asp, woolly slug, and opossum bug, just to name a few. Identifying features 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. One reason burnet moths may not advertise how poisonous they are individually is that potential predators need no extra warning to leave them alone. They have venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation lasting for several days. For first aid, the spines (if present) should be removed by using cellophane tape. The venomous spines on White Flannel moths can cause a nasty sting. It has a distinctive look—so if you ever run into one, you definitely won't be able to miss it. It is covered in hair that hides poisonous, venom-filled spines. [7] Some remedies, which are reported to have varying degrees of success, include ice packs, oral antihistamine, baking soda, hydrocortisone cream, juice from the stems of comfrey plants, and calamine lotion. 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.". Victims describe the pain as similar to a broken bone or blunt-force trauma,[3] or even white hot. Puss Caterpillars – The caterpillar whose sting can felt in the bones. [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. Lengthen the lifespan of your carved pumpkins this season. The adult moth is covered in long fur in colors ranging from dull orange to lemon yellow, with hairy legs and fuzzy black feet. The body tapers to a tail that extends well beyond the body, unlike its relative M. The "fur" on early-stage larvae is sometimes extremely curly, giving them a cottony, puffed-up look. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. [citation needed], The venom from the spines is best treated within hours of first contact. Stinging, venomous caterpillars have plagued the South and parts of the Midwest. Perhaps the most notorious for stinging is the caterpillar of Megalopyge oper… The larvae are called puss caterpillars, and with their long hairs, resemble cotton balls. Sweating from the welts or hives at the site of the sting is not unusual. [6] The reactions are sometimes localized to the affected area, but are often very severe, radiating up a limb and causing burning, swelling, nausea, headache, abdominal distress, rashes, blisters, and sometimes chest pain, numbness, or difficulty breathing. Have you ever seen one of these in person? Don't be fooled by caterpillars with colorful and fuzzy exteriors: They might be poisonous. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. It is covered in hair that hides poisonous, venom-filled spines. 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. 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". Puss caterpillars are the larval … Why do you need to know about it? For more information, read this fact sheet from the University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology. The larvae are called puss caterpillars, and with their long hairs, resemble cotton balls. [4] The middle instar has a more disheveled, "bad-hair-day" appearance, without a distinctive tail. The flannel moths or crinkled flannel moths (scientific name Megalopygidae) are a family of insects. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. 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. They occur in North America (11 species) and the New World tropics. [7][8] crispata. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. Exposure to the caterpillar's fur-like spines leads to an immediate skin irritation characterized by a "grid-like hemorrhagic papular eruption with severe radiating pain." M. opercularis can be found on oak, elm, and wild plum, among others, as well as many garden plants such as roses and ivy. The moth caterpillar resembles a cat, but it is far from cuddly. The caterpillar form is also super poisonous; in fact, it is one of the most dangerous bugs in the United States. It is distributed throughout the Eastern United States between extreme southeastern Virginia and Florida, the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. While the moth caterpillar is furry and some say it resembles a cat, it is far from cuddly. According to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, the child was hospitalized after the caterpillar's spines stuck in her arm and led to pain and swelling. The adult version of the puss larvae is the harmless southern flannel moth, but unlike it, the larva poses a danger to humans. 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. They can also be found as far west as Texas and Arkansas. Perhaps the most notorious for stinging is the caterpillar of Megalopyge opercularis. Ever heard of the Southern flannel moth (Megalopyge opercularis)? The flannel moths or crinkled flannel moths (scientific name Megalopygidae) are a family of insects. 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. In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. 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. Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. They occur in North America (11 species) and the New World tropics. They have venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation lasting for several days. What You Need to Know About the Southern Flannel Moth—AKA the Country’s Most Poisonous Caterpillar. 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. These extreme pain-inducing spines protect the caterpillars, and once the caterpillars turn into moths, the poisonous spines disappear. 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. It often has a streak of bright orange running longitudinally.

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