Stinging slug caterpillar

ENTFACT-003: Stinging Caterpillars | by Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Most people know that bees, wasps, hornets and some ants can sting to defend themselves or their nests. Only a few people realize, usually from first- hand experience, that handling some caterpillars can produce some painful results. Recognizing the few stinging caterpillar species in Kentucky may prevent irritating encounters. Caterpillars are immature stages of moths and butterflies that often have spines and barbed hooks. With most species, these are for show and are quite harmless. But we have several few stinging caterpillars of various shapes, sizes and colors. We are fortunate that only the caterpillar stage of these species sting, the adults do not have stinging hairs. This factsheet describes some of the more commonly encountered stinging caterpillars in Kentucky which cause serious reactions. There are other less common stinging caterpillars and others common ones which may cause less severe reactions which are not listed here. Stinging (‘urticating’) Hairs Stinging caterpillars possess hollow quill-like hairs, connected to poison sacs, which are used as defensive weapons. When these hairs are touched they pierce the skin releasing poison. Reactions can range from a mild itching to the more severe pain, swelling, blistering, dermatitis, and even intestinal disturbances. Figure 1. Urticating hair tip of a saddleback caterpillar showing the pore ...

There are some species of stinging caterpillars, despite the fact that most types of caterpillars are harmless. Caterpillars that are hairless or have spiky bodies are most likely poisonous and stingy. A painful sting like a bee’s might be left on handling one of these ferocious caterpillars. It’s vital to determine the species of caterpillar before grabbing any kind, so you know if it’s dangerous or not. In the class of Insecta, all caterpillars are larvae belonging to the order of moths and butterflies known as Lepidoptera. Caterpillars are hungry eaters when they hatch from eggs, and plant and tree leaves are the primary food source for them. Caterpillars can do significant harm to plant foliage, even if they are not poisonous. Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Caterpillar Identification The size, color, sort of bristles or spines, and habitat of caterpillars must be taken into consideration when identifying them. Some insect larvae, such as those of moths and butterflies, may appear similar. Caterpillars have a maximum of 5 pairs of prolegs, which distinguishes them. Other kinds of crawling insects might have more. The spine or fine hairs that cover the bodies of most stinging caterpillars are enough to identify them. Caterpillars develop into moths or butterflies after a number of phases of development. It’s critical to keep this in mind. This implies that prior to the pupation stage, immature larvae might seem...

Family of moths Limacodidae The festoon, Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamilies For full list of genera, see 1800 species • Euclidae • Apodidae The Limacodidae or Eucleidae are a family of slug moths because their cup moths because of the shape of their The larvae are often liberally covered in protective stinging hairs, and are mostly Description [ ] Moths [ ] They are small, hairy moths, with reduced or absent mouthparts and fringed wings. They often perch with their Pupae [ ] The final Caterpillars [ ] The larvae are typically very flattened, and instead of Larvae might be confused with the similarly flattened larvae of Many limacodid larvae are green and fairly smooth (e.g. The larval head is concealed under folds. Limacodidae larvae in temperate forests of eastern North America prefer • • Senckenbergiana Biologica. 88 (1): 49–52. • ^ a b c d Scoble, M.J. (1992). The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. Oxford University Press. • ^ a b Scientific Computing. Advantage Business Media. 4 June 2013 . Retrieved 5 June 2013. • ^ a b c d Wagner, D.L. (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press. • ^ a b Epstein, M.E. (1996). "Revision and phylogeny of the limacodid-group families, with evolutionary studies on slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea)." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. No. 582. ISSN 0081-0282 • Marshall, S.A. (2006). Insects: Their natural history and diversity. Firefly Books. • Lill, J.T., Ma...

Description and Biology Skip to Description and Biology The crowned slug caterpillar, Isa textula, is one of the most exquisite caterpillars in the whole animal kingdom! These caterpillars are flattened, oval, and pastel green with plumes of stinging hairs around the perimeter and shorter, less conspicuous stinging hairs on top. Two pale lines down the back terminate in a pair of "horns" on the front and a pair of stinging plumes on the rear. These caterpillars are found feeding during the summer and fall even as trees are starting to turn their fall colors. When mature, the caterpillars spin inconspicuous, dense, slightly oval cocoons inside of which they pupate. Not much is available on the biology of crowned slug caterpillars. The moths are in flight from May to August. The moths have brownish wings and are about 3/ 4 inch long with a one inch wing span. The forewings are brown with inconspicuous gray shading. If it is like other slug caterpillars, this one overwinters in a cocoon. The following season, moths emerge to mate and lay eggs for a new generation of caterpillars. We probably have one generation per year.

The Full Story Caterpillars cause a surprising number of stings for being such small creatures. While most caterpillars are harmless, there are several types of Caterpillars feed on leaves as they grow from eggs, before they develop into pupa and finally into adult moths. Unintentional human contact occurs when people brush against caterpillars they don't see. That can easily happen in a yard or garden. It's especially hard for people who work in caterpillar-infested areas to avoid contact. Do caterpillars bite? Most problems from venomous caterpillar exposures are due to the tiny hairs (setae), spines, or quills on a caterpillar's body. These hairs or spines are connected to glands that produce a toxin. As part of the caterpillar’s defense strategy, when you touch these stinging hairs or spines, they can break off in your skin, releasing a tiny dose of that toxin in the process. Some cause allergic reactions. A few of these insects contain a toxin and can actually cause Are all fuzzy caterpillars poisonous? As a general rule, brightly-colored caterpillars with spines, bristles, or a fuzzy appearance might be venomous and should not be touched. However, knowing what caterpillars to avoid touching may not be enough to prevent a sting. Preventing venomous caterpillar exposures can be difficult, as they often feed on the underside of leaves and can be difficult to see. Wearing a hat and gloves while gardening can help. What does a caterpillar rash look like? Symptoms of cater...

Hickory tussock caterpillar. (John Ghent, bugwood.org) As the weather warms up and people begin spending more time in their yards, parks and forests, more people will be coming home with a rash or bug bite. However, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts say before you blame a flying insect or a poisonous plant for a skin ailment, you may need to consider another culprit – stinging caterpillars. “Spring foliage has brought on an abundance of caterpillars, a few of whom carry irritating or even venomous hairs,” said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management for schools statewide specialist, Dallas. “We normally have Perhaps the most painful caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar. An encounter with a What stinging caterpillars look like Hurley said she recently received her first tussock moth caterpillar question – confirming that just about every species of stinging caterpillar has now been spotted in our state. Puss caterpillar. (AgriLife photo by Wizzie Brown) “A good rule of thumb is if a caterpillar looks ‘fuzzy’ — don’t touch it,” said Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management and entomologist, Bexar County. Although many fuzzy caterpillars are not dangerous, do not pick up a caterpillar unless you are sure it is not of the stinging variety. The puss caterpillar, for example, looks deceptively soft and can be especially tempting for children to want t...