Puss moth caterpillar

Cerura vinula has a wingspan of 58 millimetres (2.3 in) to 75 millimetres (3.0 in) – the males are slightly smaller. puss moth). The caterpillars grow to about 80 millimetres (3.1 in) long. In its last stage they are bright light green and have a blackish-brown or purplish-brown dorsal pattern outlined in white or yellowish. Young caterpillars are completely black. The abdomen ends in a tail fork with two long dark-colored tips bearing red extendable flagellae. The chrysalis is reddish brown, enclosed in a hard cocoon attached to the host plant.

BY LSU AGCENTER BATON ROUGE — The puss moth caterpillar (Megalopyge opercluaris) and other members of the genus Megalopyge are known throughout the new world for their urticating (producing a stinging or itching sensation) hairs and spines and their painful sting. The puss moth caterpillar is covered in a coat of tawny to grayish hairs. The body is roughly 1 inch (2.5 to 3.5 cm) in length but may be smaller. This moth is distributed throughout the southern states and has been found as far north as New Jersey. It has been collected on hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), elm (Ulmus spp.), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and oak (Quercus spp.) trees as well as cultivated and wild plum (Prunus spp.) and rose bushes (Rosa spp.). Sting Reactions The spines lie just underneath urticating hairs. On contact, the spines will break away, releasing venom. Stings are typically multiple as these caterpillars are commonly stepped on, touched or lodged in clothing. Puss caterpillar stings are instantaneously painful, quickly followed by localized pain that radiates toward regional lymph nodes. In the individual puncture sites that often become red, swollen and pustular (containing blisters on skin), making an outline of the caterpillar. Allergies to these stings have been documented, and persons stung should be watched for any potential anaphylactic reaction. Other symptoms that are documented include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, heart arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), hypotension (lo...

The Puss Moth, Cerura vinulais, is well recorded through most of the southern half of the British Isles becoming less common in the north. This distinctive nocturnal moth flies in a single generation between May and July when it is attracted to light. It can be found in a wide range of habitats including moorland, gardens and open woodland. The extraordinary looking caterpillars feed on sallows, willow, aspen and poplar. Photographs and information of the Puss Moth’s complete life cycle from egg, caterpillar, pupa to adult moth together with rearing information are featured below. Identification of the Puss moth, Cerura vinula The Puss moth is a distinctive species with a forewing length of up to 38mm. The forewings are greyish white with a series of black lines and marks. The head and upper front legs are coated in white hairs. Other notable features are the three orange veins radiating from its head down the forewings. Other medium sized black and white moths found in similar habitats include the In North America the caterpillar of The Puss Moth caterpillar, Cerura vinula The eggs hatch within 14 days. If hatched eggs are found a close inspection of nearby leaves often reveals the tiny caterpillars. The caterpillars are dark brown at first with a pair of small horn like protuberances on the dorsum behind the head. A pair of red tipped, modified rear claspers, over half the body length long, are raised to warn off predators when disturbed. Within 7 days the caterpillars h...

Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more. Advanced Search: • Use “ “ for phrases o [ “pediatric abdominal pain” ] • Use – to remove results with certain terms o [ “abdominal pain” –pediatric ] • Use OR to account for alternate terms o [teenager OR adolescent ] Search A-Z Puss moth caterpillars ( Megalopyge opercularis), of the order Lepidoptera, are also known as asps. They are one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. Puss moth caterpillars are endemic to the southern US and live in shade trees and shrubbery around homes and schools and in parks. The asp caterpillar produces 2 generations a year, leading to a bimodal peak in late spring and late fall. They are teardrop shaped and, because they have long silky hair, resemble a tuft of cotton or fur. Their color varies from yellow or gray to reddish brown. When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, venomous hairs become embedded. Envenomation causes intense throbbing pain, burning, and a rash with erythematous spots. More susceptible patients can experience swelling, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, shock, and respiratory distress. Wound pain usually subsides within an hour, and the erythematous spots disappear in a day. Treatment of Puss Moth Caterpillar Stings Treatment for local reactions to asp stings includes washing the skin with soap and water (using noncontact drying such as a hair dryer), local cooling measures such as an i...

Description and Biology Skip to Description and Biology Puss caterpillars, Megalopyge opercularis, are also called asp caterpillars because of their potent stings. They are called puss caterpillars because their thick, fluffy setae resemble the fur of a pussycat. Adults are called flannel moths because of their fluffy, wavy, flannel-like scales. The moths evidently lay their eggs in batches because young larvae sometimes feed in groups on the surface of the leaf. Older larvae devour entire leaves. Two generations occur each year with peaks of abundance of caterpillars in July and October. Second generation caterpillars finally spin a dense cocoon on the host plant in which they spend the winter. The cocoon usually has a noticeable bump on the back and on the front there is usually a distinct, round hatch cover (the operculum) through which the moth emerges in the spring (the scientific name opercularis was named for the distinctive operculum.). Host Plants Skip to Host Plants Puss caterpillars feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs, especially elm, hackberry, maple, oak, and sycamore. Puss caterpillars are usually not abundant enough to be noticed although rare outbreaks have been widespread causing severe defoliation. On humans, they produce a very painful sting when brushed against (brushing against the caterpillar breaks tiny hollow spines filled with an urticating fluid that produces a painful stinging sensation. The pain may last several hours. Swelling associated...

• Puss caterpillars are popping up in Virginia, and despite their appearance, they’re quite dangerous—some of the most venomous caterpillars in the U.S. • Their wig-like hairs are actually spines that can cause intense pain, swelling, vomiting, and fever if touched. • The Virginia Department of Forestry reports that they’re being spotted in the eastern part of the state, but the creature can be found in other parts of the U.S. In news only 2020 could bring, even seemingly cute creatures can be dangerous. Virginia officials are warning residents to stay far away from puss caterpillars, which have been spotted in the state’s eastern counties, as the hairy critters are actually extremely venomous. Earlier this month, the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDF) reported in a What does a puss caterpillar sting feel like? Despite their soft appearance, the insect’s hairs pack a painful punch. Symptoms of a puss caterpillar sting include intense pain, swelling, a red, itchy rash, restlessness and anxiety, vomiting, fever, muscle cramps, swollen glands, and even signs of shock, according to play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play One unlucky Virginia woman described her own brush with a puss caterpillar in even worse terms. “It felt exactly like a scorching-hot knife passing through the outside of my calf,” she told The caterpillars have a long history of causing medical emergencies. In 2018, a Where do puss caterpillars live? Puss caterpillars are the larva of the southe...

( [ citation needed] • Phalaena opercularis Smith, 1797 • Megalopyge albizona Dognin, 1923 • Megalopyge bissesa Dyar, 1910 • Megalopyge briseis Dyar, 1910 • Megalopyge costaricensis Schaus, 1912 • Megalopyge govana Schaus, 1904 • Megalopyge incachaca Schaus, 1927 • Pimela lanuginosa Clemens, 1860 • Lagoa ornata Druce, 1887 Dangers and treatment of stings The caterpillar is regarded as a dangerous insect because of its venomous spines. Exposure to the caterpillar's fur-like spines leads to an immediate skin irritation characterized by a "grid-like hemorrhagic 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. • Smith, James Edward (1797). Phalæna opercularis". The Natural History of the Rarer Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia. Including their systematic characters, the particulars of their several metamorphoses, and the plants on which they feed. Collected from the observation of Mr. John Abbot, many years resident in that country. Vol. 2. London: T. Bensley. pp. 105–106. • Simmons, Alvin M.; Wiseman, B. R. (1993). The Florida Entomologist. 76 (2): 275. • ^ a b Hossler, Eric W. (2009). Dermatologic Therapy. 22 (4): 353–366. • Wagner, David L. (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton Univ. Press. p. 55. 1400834147. • McGovern, John P.; Barkin, Gilbert D.; McElhenney, Thomas R.; Wende, Reubin (1961). " Megalopyge opercularis: Observations of Its Life History...

AboutPuss moths are so fluffy they were named after pussycats! Their legs and body are covered in dense white hair and even the wings look furry. They can be found across most of the UK, in a wide variety of habitats, including parks and gardens - as long as there are poplars or willows for the caterpillars to feed on. The adult moths fly at night between May and July, when they can be attracted to lights. Females lay their orange-brown eggs on the upper surface of a willow or poplar leaf, either singly or in clusters of two or three. When the tiny dark brown caterpillars emerge, they have two long tails that they raise to scare off predators. The caterpillars quickly grow into fat, green creatures with a red face featuring two false eyes. They keep the tails for scaring predators, but if that doesn't work they have a secret weapon - they can squirt formic acid at their attacker. When they're fully fed, the caterpillars wander in search of a place to pupate. They use their strong jaws to chew up bark, mixing it with silk to create a tough cocoon on a tree trunk. They spend the winter as a pupa, inside their cocoon, before emerging in spring - though they sometimes remain in this state for two winters. How to identifyA large and furry, white or greyish-white moth, with a scattering of neat black spots on the body and base of the forewings. The outer half of each forewing is covered by steeply undulating lines, creating a beautiful wavy pattern. Young caterpillars are tiny a...