This insect -although cute and fuzzy- has done severe harm to people throughout the country. Young children have been reported with excruciating pain after petting them, or one having fallen onto them from a tree. The Megalopyge Opercularis (scientific name) is a venomous caterpillar, existing mainly in North and Central Florida These insects hide extremely toxic spines underneath their fuzz, and when pricked, the pain is similar to a bee sting, but worse. The pain increases or decreases based on the amount of spines that prick your skin, and some people have noted that their pain lasted up to twelve hours. The Puss Caterpillar is generally 1 inch long, before turning into female Flannel Moths. This species goes through what is called "boom and bust cycles"which means their population rises and falls drastically based on the season, but in the past 3-5 years their numbers have sky-rocketed without any explanation.
Monday, December 15, 2014
The Puss Caterpillar
Deadliest December: The Puss Caterpillar
This insect -although cute and fuzzy- has done severe harm to people throughout the country. Young children have been reported with excruciating pain after petting them, or one having fallen onto them from a tree. The Megalopyge Opercularis (scientific name) is a venomous caterpillar, existing mainly in North and Central Florida These insects hide extremely toxic spines underneath their fuzz, and when pricked, the pain is similar to a bee sting, but worse. The pain increases or decreases based on the amount of spines that prick your skin, and some people have noted that their pain lasted up to twelve hours. The Puss Caterpillar is generally 1 inch long, before turning into female Flannel Moths. This species goes through what is called "boom and bust cycles"which means their population rises and falls drastically based on the season, but in the past 3-5 years their numbers have sky-rocketed without any explanation.
This insect -although cute and fuzzy- has done severe harm to people throughout the country. Young children have been reported with excruciating pain after petting them, or one having fallen onto them from a tree. The Megalopyge Opercularis (scientific name) is a venomous caterpillar, existing mainly in North and Central Florida These insects hide extremely toxic spines underneath their fuzz, and when pricked, the pain is similar to a bee sting, but worse. The pain increases or decreases based on the amount of spines that prick your skin, and some people have noted that their pain lasted up to twelve hours. The Puss Caterpillar is generally 1 inch long, before turning into female Flannel Moths. This species goes through what is called "boom and bust cycles"which means their population rises and falls drastically based on the season, but in the past 3-5 years their numbers have sky-rocketed without any explanation.
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