They look cute and fuzzy but you really don’t want to touch them! Puss caterpillars may look soft and cuddly but the insect delivers a sting more painful than bees, jellyfish or even scorpions. Ouch!
Curious young children from Florida to North Carolina are reporting excruciating pain after coming into contact with the most venomous caterpillar in the U.S.
Known as asp caterpillars (Megalopyge opercularis), the insect has a variety of nicknames: southern flannel moths, puss moths, or tree asps. The caterpillar is found throughout North America and populations seem to be on the rise in southern States like Florida, South Texas and Georgia.
Adult asp caterpillars emerge in late spring or early summer to lay several hundred eggs on favored host trees, such as oaks, pecan, elm, hackberry and other trees.
Puss caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis. (Source: Donald W. Hall, University of Florida)
They usually stay high up in trees but can also be found in brush and bushes.
Their “furry” exterior hides small toxic spines that skewer predators and inject the painful venom.
The sting results in pain that is deep and aching and feels like it goes all the way to the bone. Some people say the pain can radiate all the way up their arm and last for up to 12 hours.
Other symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress.
If you happen to get stung by the puss caterpillar, it’s recommended to use duct tape to remove any spines that may be stuck to the area of the sting apply ice packs to minimize swelling and inflammation and seek medical help if any of the hairs get near the eyes or you have troubles breathing.
Of course, the best course of action is to avoid touching the bug all together. That’s why it’s important to warn children of the dangers of this particular caterpillar if there are reports of them in your neighborhood.
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