Keep an eye out for this!!

[js85]

http://www.myfoxla.com/story/26437401/florida-scientists-dont-touch-this-bug

TAMPA (FOX 13) -
As far as bugs go, caterpillars are usually pretty tame – except for one.

It's a fat, furry caterpillar that is popping up in trees across Florida, and it's known as the "puss caterpillar," or Megalopyge opercularis.

But whatever you do, do not touch this bug. Stay away from it, scientists say.

Its fur is actually covered in venom. Doctors from the University of Florida say the second you touch this caterpillar you feel instant, intense pain.

The pain is worse than a bee, jellyfish, or scorpion, and it can also cause vomiting and convulsions.

Doctors say be aware of them while working outdoors because they are known to fall out of trees.

 

[Chuck]

These have been in Texas for as long as I can remember. They come in two colors, beige and light green. Here in Texas we call them asps. Their sting is indescribably painfull.

 

[claudine]

It's the first time when I see a furry caterpillar. It looks so funny! But it's also kind of creepy I know I wouldn't want to find it in my garden. I'm scared of all weird creatures.

 

[js85]

These have been in Texas for as long as I can remember. They come in two colors, beige and light green. Here in Texas we call them asps. Their sting is indescribably painfull.

Wow, is it really the "fur" that stings? I can't even imagine. Do they leave a residue or something?

 

[Carolyn]

WebMd says those are all over the southern US. I have never seen one but it says they are here in Missouri too. The moth is beautiful.

 

[Eugene]

Wow. never seen anything like it. Is there a certain are from where it stings? Or can it sting from anywhere?

 

[Carolyn]

Wow, is it really the "fur" that stings? I can't even imagine. Do they leave a residue or something?

The fur doesn't do anything, it's the spines hiding underneath that carry the poison.

 

[Eugene]

Are they all over the body?

 

[Carolyn]

Are they all over the body?

http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/puss-caterpillar

 

[Chuck]

Wow, is it really the "fur" that stings? I can't even imagine. Do they leave a residue or something?

It is not the fur but invisible spines within the fur that stings. They act like fangs on a snake and when touched inject a poison and usually break off in the skin just like a honey bee's stinger does when he stings you.. If you get hit by one of these things the first thing to do is remove the spine with sticky tape like duct tape or masking tape. Then start gobbling down antihistamines. I have been stung a couple of times by these things and I assure you it is not a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

 

[Trellum]

Yikes, what a horrible furry thing to have, I'm terribly scared of those! Don't even try to touch them, I did once and I deeply regretted it! Never again. Dangerous to have around if there are children present.

 

[Chuck]

Are they all over the body?

They cannot be seen but they are hidden under the fur all over the thing

 

[Chuck]

These things move very slowly, like a sloth and are very difficult to see. They are extremely well camoflaged. I haven't seen them in trees but then I don't usually climb around in trees anymore. Mostly you will find them in bushes. Usually on smaller limbs towards the inside of the plant. I have been hit twice and both times on the inside of my arm while pruning the bushes around my parents house when I was a kid. They seem to prefer landscape type bushes as I have never seen one out in the woods. As with any caterpillar Bt will elimanate them quickly so if any of you out there are freaked out over these things and live in the south you know what to do.

 

[helagumamela]

Eww eww eww. That's so gross. We have hairy caterpillars that will make your skin itch like crazy when you accidentally touch or step on them. However, they are not as hairy/furry as that one on the picture. It looks so creepy!

 

[gata montes]

just the thought of one of those has my heart racing.

So I thank you for the warning as well as reminding me - that although I have been fortunate enough to have only ever encountered one of these once and the " puss caterpillar " is not a common visitor where I live - this is the time of year that we always have to be extra vigilante when tending our gardens - as we too have to be on the lookout for other venomous creatures as well as giant caterpillars that although not quite as dangerous - can still cause a nasty reaction - especially if you are one of those who is allergic to any of them.