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."
Yes. This is a saddle-back caterpillar.. Equally venomous.
Yow! That is weird! Quite the set of choppers!
Some are bigger than others...............
We call the ones we have here in Texas, “asps”.
Gumout carb spray, kills any bug you hit with it. Used it to eradicate hornet nests. You will want a can in each hand for that one if it’s a big nest, and they are on top of the nest. Fair warning...
Stepped on one when I was little. They hurt!
I was once stung by a cow killer ant. During the Summer I always went barefoot.
It was bad, a little worse than a wasp but thankfully not as bad as I had thought.
We were always told never to touch caterpillars. Now I know why.
Wow, we have boring caterpillars in WI, most common is the cuddly looking wooly bear caterpillar.
That striped one reminds me of the pesky tent caterpillar which eats up tree leaves in large groups of caterpillars. My dad used to burn the tents with a torch.
Oooh, very festive! And probably painful!
God’s creation is so full of wonders. Some best avoided and not touched!
I think you mean “lot lizard” .
In southeast Texas, it was called an asp in the ‘60s.
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