are flannel moths poisonous

Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. Why do you need to know about it? 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." 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 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. They have venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation lasting for several days. The moth caterpillar resembles a cat, but it is far from cuddly. Victims describe the pain as similar to a broken bone or blunt-force trauma,[3] or even white hot. 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. 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. Puss caterpillars are the larval … [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. The flannel moths or crinkled flannel moths (scientific name Megalopygidae) are a family of insects. The venomous spines on White Flannel moths can cause a nasty sting. 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… © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Identifying features 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. It is distributed throughout the Eastern United States between extreme southeastern Virginia and Florida, the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. Perhaps the most notorious for stinging is the caterpillar of Megalopyge oper… Have you ever seen one of these in person? These caterpillars are found anywhere from Washington DC to Texas, Arizona, and Florida to Mexico and South America. In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. Lengthen the lifespan of your carved pumpkins this season. The caterpillar form is also super poisonous; in fact, it is one of the most dangerous bugs in the United States. [citation needed], The venom from the spines is best treated within hours of first contact. For first aid, the spines (if present) should be removed by using cellophane tape. 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 covered in hair that hides poisonous, venom-filled spines. Ever heard of the Southern flannel moth (Megalopyge opercularis)? The "fur" on early-stage larvae is sometimes extremely curly, giving them a cottony, puffed-up look. It is variable in color, from downy grayish white to golden brown to dark charcoal gray. Her teachers removed the spines using tape, which was quick thinking. More important than its varied nomenclature? One reason burnet moths may not advertise how poisonous they are individually is that potential predators need no extra warning to leave them alone. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. [4] The middle instar has a more disheveled, "bad-hair-day" appearance, without a distinctive tail. 1986, Hossler 2010, Khalaf 1975). [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. The larvae are called puss caterpillars, and with their long hairs, resemble cotton balls. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. 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. The adult version of the puss larvae is the harmless southern flannel moth, but unlike it, the larva poses a danger to humans. The body tapers to a tail that extends well beyond the body, unlike its relative M. 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. In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. They have venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation lasting for several days. They occur in North America (11 species) and the New World tropics. For more information, read this fact sheet from the University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology. 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. While the moth caterpillar is furry and some say it resembles a cat, it is far from cuddly. 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". [5], The caterpillar is regarded as a dangerous insect because of its venomous spines. [7][8] crispata. 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 . 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.". Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. 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. It often has a streak of bright orange running longitudinally. 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. Don't be fooled by caterpillars with colorful and fuzzy exteriors: They might be poisonous. M. opercularis can be found on oak, elm, and wild plum, among others, as well as many garden plants such as roses and ivy.

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