It is uncommon in the northern parts of its range. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 18: 203-239. Stinging rose larvae measure about 1 (2.5 cm) long. Forester moth caterpillars grow up to 4.7 ( 12.5 cm) in their final instar. The puss caterpillar - one of the most venomous of its kind in the USA - has appeared in Florida, Texas and South Carolina. Home owners develop dermatitis from contact with the cocoons while removing them from the soffits of houses. There is conflicting information on whether this caterpillar stings. A buck moth caterpillar is easy to identify by its black color, masses of white tiny spots, and jaggy appearance. Recently molted male fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) pupa (lateral view), Orgyia detrita. . The literature frequently describes the females as being wingless. The spiny caterpillars can be yellow or orange-red and have a distinctive band of thin purple stripes along their back. cocoons under eaves of building. Caterpillars and Moths. The southern flannel caterpillar (or puss caterpillar) is a type of hairy caterpillar that causes a nasty sting if you handle it. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) It might look soft and hairy, but experts warn to look, not touch. The furry puss caterpillar, the larval stage of the southern flannel moth, is one of the most poisonous caterpillars in the US. These projections have poisonous spines and the sting is a defensive mechanism to prevent predators from eating them. Also, caterpillars in Florida can be green, yellow, black, or multi-colored. These Florida caterpillars, at the last stages of growth, have a slug-like tiny body covered with many orange or bright yellow . Pictures of four poisonous caterpillars in Florida. Figure 22. Long-Tailed Skipper Caterpillar (Urbanus proteus). In Florida, you can see these striped caterpillars on fruit trees, cottonwood, walnut, and willow trees. Identify the long-tailed skipper caterpillar by its black ball-like head, yellow markings on its body in the form of lines and dots, and orange prolegs. In 2017, a Florida woman's 5-year-old son accidentally stepped on one as he played outside. Leucostigma females cover their eggs with a frothy secretion but do not cover the secretion with setae (Ferguson 1978). Fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) cocoon with egg mass covered with setae from females abdomen. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. It is found in great abundance particularly in Florida, United States where it thrives in tropical habitats. This caterpillar is one of the largest moth larvae, and it turns into one of the biggest moths in the USthe regal moth. The identifying feature of this tussock caterpillar is tufts of spiny hairs covering its body. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The Io moth, like many of the other saturniid moths, is less common now in parts of its range. The red admiral is a spiky black caterpillar that has identifiable fleshy spines and white tiny dots. Additionally, they have metallic brown wings. Catalogue of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of North America north of Mexico. Next apply ice packs to reduce the stinging sensation and slather on a paste of baking soda and water. To identify a tomato hornworm, look for the characteristic pale yellowish V markings and eyespots along each of its sides. 'Extremely toxic' Puss Caterpillars spotted in Florida | WFLA In addition, look for the four horns at the head and a tail at its rear. Polyphemus moth caterpillars have a bright green, plump body with bright red dots in bumps around each segment. You can also call Miami Poison Control at 800-222-1222. The southern flannel caterpillar also has the common name puss caterpillar because it looks like a Persian cat. The Io moth caterpillar is a green stinging caterpillar that you can find in Florida. Gilmer PM. Zebra Longwing Caterpillar (Heliconius charithonia). Figure 15. In Florida, feeding damage to large trees by Orgyia species does not usually harm the trees. According to the University of Florida, the four major stinging caterpillars found in Florida are the puss caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar, Io moth caterpillar and hag caterpillar.. The pale green caterpillar has bands of bright green urticating tufts around its abdominal segments. Henn T, Weinzierl R, Koehler PG. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 34(1): 67-79. 1922. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 12(1): 140. Atrubin D, Granger K. April 28, 2006. The characteristic trait of this furry caterpillar is a wide rusty brown band around a black body. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Its best to avoid handling stinging rose moth caterpillars because the venomous spines can cause redness and skin irritation. Figure 5. The imperial moth caterpillar is a horned caterpillar with long spiky horns at its head and a jaggy tail-like protrusion at its rear end. Feeds on oak, willow and other deciduous plants. Introduction and Catalog. Fox News reports that the larvae of the Southern flannel moth, also commonly known as "asps," have been spotted in Florida, and experts are urging residents to stay far away from the furry white insects which like to hang out on oak and citrus trees. 611 pp. Puss caterpillar looks innocent, but its venomous barbs have brutal Figure 20. Contact with the cocoons produces the same symptoms. Fully grown, swallowtail caterpillars measure 2.1 (5.5 cm) long. Early cocoon of fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) before many setae are incorporated. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Mature bagworms can grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. 2009. Buck moths are members of the family Saturniidae, which includes other dangerous insects like the lonomia obliqua. 2012, Atrubin & Granger 2006, Cruse et al. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Stinging secret: research reveals how venom from Australian Some exotic southern caterpillars have fleshy tentacle-like spikes that help with identification. Poisonous spider bites can cause major illness or even death. The zebra longwing gets its poison from the pollen it . 1978. Spines easily break of an can embed deeply into skin. Giant Silkworm Moth Caterpillar (Lonomia obliqua) Found in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, the giant silkworm moth caterpillar is one of the top poisonous species of caterpillar. However, there can be color variations, with some buck moth caterpillars appearing mostly white or brown. These caterpillars are covered in soft hairs that seem like fun to touch but fight the urge! Urticating hairs can be especially irritating when they get into your eye. Large ground beetles (Henn et al. White Flannel Moth Caterpillar (Norape ovina) The mature white flannel moth caterpillar can reach 1-1/4 inch in length. Another feature of the tobacco hornworm caterpillar is its rear horn, which is brown, green, or orange. White feathery spines also stick out from its sides. Mature female fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) pupa. 17+ Species of Poisonous Caterpillars Found Around the World Stinging Rose Caterpillar (Parasa indetermina). The sub-dorsal areas (sides) can be a dark gray as in Figures 1 and 2, or they can be light gray to light yellow as in Figure 3. The yellow body is marked with wide black stripe down the back bordered with red at each end. Symptoms vary in severity to include burning or stinging, itching, redness, and inflammation. Look for them in groups near the base of plants. . Megalopyge opercularis - Wikipedia Diagram of urticating seta and associated venom gland of whitemarked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma). Completed cocoon of fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). Virginia residents warned to stay away from hairy, venomous caterpillars In addition, there are four tufts of white or yellow hairs on its back and two red dots at its rear end. Mature tussock moth (Orgyia sp.) Orgyia detrita (the fir tussock moth) is the most common of the species in Florida followed by Orgyia leucostigma (the whitemarked tussock moth) and finally Orgyia definita (the definite tussock moth), which is rare in Florida (Foltz 2004). Those infected with nuclear polyhedrosis virus typically die in a characteristic pose - hanging limp by their prolegs. Look for jaggy horn-like upward-pointing spikes along its back and small clumps of spines along its sides. Under the fuzzy yellow hairs is a shiny black oval head. Don't swallow or chew on the beans. Figure 12. The spines have toxin glands at their base, the toxin is released when the spines make contact with skin. A characteristic feature of the cloudless sulphur caterpillar is that its color changes depending on its food. Tachinid puparium from Orgyia sp. Caterpillars reach maturity and wander in search of sites to spin their cocoons in early April in Florida. The tomato hornworm is around 4 (10 cm) in length from its large head to its horned tail. Ferguson DC. Symptoms can last anywhere from a day to over a week. OHara JE, Wood DM. Orgyia detrita has bright orange spots along the back and sides while the spots on leucostigma are yellow (Foltz 2004). You will also notice two characteristic black long horns at the head end and two shorter horn-like tails. You can find the furry puss caterpillars in most southern states, including Florida. Spines have a toxin gland at the base that is released when spines break off into the skin. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. A few species are known to sting, which can cause mild skin irritations, but none contain venom that may be harmful to people. These small insects are one of the country's most venomous . The giant horned caterpillar has a bluish-green body, curved spiny red horns with black tips, orangey-red head, and black spines on its body. One of the most venomous caterpillars in the U.S., the puss. "A puss caterpillar sting feels like a bee sting, only worse. The Zebra Longwing ( Heliconius charithonia) butterfly is easy to recognize by the zebra-like pattern on its wings. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Note purple tint on wings and white tornal spot. After hatching, the young larvae feed on the remaining egg mass and then spin a silk thread that they use to balloon for dispersal (Thurston 2002).