Puss Moth Caterpillar, known for its adorable appearance, may tempt you to bring it home as a pet at first glance. However, the truth is, you should think twice before touching it.
This insect, scientifically named Megalopyge opercularis, is the larva of the Southern Flannel Moth.
This is the larva of the Southern Flannel Moth.
Last year, a 7-year-old boy from Mississippi, USA, was stung by one of these moths and was quickly taken to the hospital after touching the caterpillar in his backyard.
“It felt like an extremely intense pain,” he told WMC Action News 5.
The sting of a Puss Moth Caterpillar. (Photo: Armed Forces Pest Management Board via UFL.edu).
The boy’s mother, Kelli McCaskill, stated that he had to “endure the worst pain I have ever seen him in,” and she added that others should also be cautious.
“The sting can be more painful than a jellyfish sting or any other type of octopus or bee,” she said.
Southern Flannel Moth. (Photo: Donald W. Hall/University of Florida).
Puss Moth Caterpillar. (Photo: Donald W. Hall/University of Florida).
According to National Geographic: “Children from Florida to North Carolina have reported some of the most excruciating pains after contact with the most venomous caterpillar in the U.S., the Puss Moth Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), according to reports. Some have brought the insect home as a pet; others were injured when the caterpillars fell on them from trees.”
This caterpillar has also been found in distant states such as Missouri and Texas.
According to WebMD, this is the most venomous caterpillar in the U.S., and its venom is contained in the hollow spines covered in dense hair. Their diet consists of leaves from maple, oak, and mulberry trees. They inhabit shady canopies around homes, schools, parks, and more.
In many cases, the venom from the Puss Moth Caterpillar can cause bone damage. The level of pain experienced by the victims depends on the sting location and the amount of spines embedded in the skin. While the pain from a wasp sting typically dissipates after an hour, a person stung by a Puss Moth Caterpillar on the arm may feel pain radiating to the shoulder lasting up to 12 hours.
According to officials from Texas A&M University, these caterpillars are most commonly found in late summer and early fall.
This is the most venomous caterpillar in the U.S. (Photo: Donald W. Hall/University of Florida).
It is a painful experience, experts say.
“A sting from a Puss Moth Caterpillar feels like a bee sting, perhaps even worse. The pain will be immediate and quickly worsen after the sting, potentially causing your bones to ache,” said entomologist Don Hall from the University of Florida.
“How painful the sting is depends on the location and the number of spines embedded in your skin. People who have been stung on the hand report that the pain can radiate up to the shoulder and last for 12 hours,” he added.
This caterpillar can be found in the southern United States, parts of the Midwest, and Mexico.
Caterpillars are rarely seen. Theresa Dellinger, an entomology diagnostic expert at Virginia Tech, suggests that the presence of this species in Virginia could be due to climate change. According to this expert, if stung by a Puss Moth Caterpillar, you should wash the affected area with soap and water. Applying ice and taking Aspirin for pain relief are also recommended. If the pain is severe and blisters develop, you should seek medical attention.
