Posted on 10/19/2018 12:29:11 PM PDT by ETL
SPRING HILL (FOX 13) - One of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States is found all across Florida. In the Bay Area, several people have reported seeing puss caterpillars in their backyards.
One Spring Hill man said he was stung by one a few days ago.
"It's definitely incapacitating," said Michael Dusk. "It feels extremely painful."
The Florida Poison Control Center reports receiving a fair amount of calls about caterpillar bites on a yearly basis.
"Great to look at, don't touch them," said Dr. Alfred Aleguas, the director of the Florida Poison Control Center in Tampa Bay.
Although bites from puss caterpillars can cause significant pain, experts said in most cases, an ER visit is not necessary.
"If you call us right away, we can tell you things to do to relieve a lot of the pain," said Aleguas, who added that removing the spines from the wound is a critical part of recovery. Related Headlines
Teen recovering after puss caterpillar sting Boy stung by venomous caterpillar Florida scientists: Don't touch this bug
A Riverview couple said they found three puss caterpillars behind their home.
They said they resisted the temptation to touch them and quickly removed them away from their pets.
"You just have to be aware that it's not a bug that you pick up," said Paula Lasswell. "And you should always not pick up caterpillars in Florida, but I think that that's an unusual one that looks like you want to touch it."
Accidentally brushed one a few months ago and it felt as though I was poked with a burning coal. Oh so painful and for days my hand looked like a blown up latex glove. Beware of this booger!
That’s just a regular caterpillar in the new NIKE uniforms.
This one is pretty painful, too:
http://www.arkinspace.com/2011/05/stinging-caterpillars-of-united-states.html
One got me last year.
In Spain we have processionary caterpillars that can kill pets and make small children seriously ill.
Looks like a 50s/60s “Duck Tail” haircut. lol.
Lol! Sorry!!
Posted that to wrong thread. Meant it for a new thread I just posted.
This is why the illegals all come to CA. We don’t have insects.
Uuuugh, another one to ask God about.
That one is raising a lot of parasitic wasps, and will die. Good riddance.
Got stung by one of those bad boys about ten years ago. He was on the arm rest of a lawn chair. I didn’t see him and I set my arm on him when I sat down.
About like a bee sting, except that is was sore for days afterward.
Oh my goodness! She looks like a nursing home occupant.
same here
Brake parts cleaner is even more effective
“She looks like a nursing home occupant.”
...wait for it...
...”Nursing Home Escapee”
I have found those on the ground after storms
The wasps found that one. So much for defensive spines.
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