Pain usually subsides within an hour and spots disappear in a day or so. Other symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress. Erythematous (blood-colored) spots may appear at the site of the sting. Stings on the arm may also result in pain in the axillary (armpit) region. Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. Puss moth caterpillars rarely cause serious damage to trees however they can pose a health hazard to children and gardeners. The color is about the same as that of the larva, because the larval hairs are incorporated in the silk. The dorsal surface of the cocoon is marked by a structure similar to a leaf scar. At one end of the cocoon a trap door is provided for the escape of the adult as it emerges from the pupal case. Cocoons can be found on the trunk or branches of the host plant. The caterpillar spends the winter within a unique-shaped cocoon. One to two generations occur each year, though southern flannel moth caterpillars tend to be more common in the fall. Caterpillars may also be seen feeding on dwarf yaupon and other shrubs. BiologyĪdult moth of the Southern flannel moth, Megalopyge opercularis, Photo by Laura Bellmore.Īdult puss moths emerge in late spring or early summer to lay several hundred eggs on favored host trees, such as oaks, pecan, elm, hackberry and other trees. Other common stinging caterpillars in Texas include the Io moth, buck moth and saddleback moth caterpillars. Wings are orange at the base, fading to cream-colored at the tips, and the legs are covered with delicate, strikingly colored hairs. The adult moth has blunt wings covered with long, wavy hair and a wingspan of 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The mature larva is 1 to 1 1/2 inches long with seven pairs of prolegs (suction-cup like claspers, on the rear half of the body). Their color varies from yellow or gray to reddish-brown, or a mixture of colors. Southern flannel moth caterpillars are teardrop-shaped, and, with their long, silky hairs, resemble a tuft of cotton or fur. When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, venomous hairs stick into the skin causing a severe burning sensation and rash. They are of minor importance as enemies of shade trees, but they can cause a severe sting. This caterpillar is often abundant and may infest shade trees and shrubbery around homes, schools, and in parks. In Texas these caterpillars are commonly known as “asps”. ![]() The best known flannel moth and stinging caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth, or puss moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis. The spines, when brushed against the skin, produce a painful rash or sting. The immature stages of flannel moths are caterpillars which are clothed with fine hairs and venomous spines. Flannel moths get their name from the flannel-like appearance of the wings of the adult, which are clothed with loose scales mixed with long hairs. Most stinging caterpillars belong to the insect family known as flannel moths. He may be the comic relief in a pretty serious tale of bug enslavement, but he’s a comic relief we love all the same.The southern flannel moth caterpillar hides a series of venomous spines under it soft hairs. Flea’s circus, we don’t know, but we do know about his affinity for candy corn and accidental bravery in distracting the bird. How this German caterpillar ended up juggling in P.T. But character depth aside, Heimlich is just a lovable guy. After all, he loves food and eating and looks longingly to the future, declaring “Someday I will be a beautiful butterfly and then everything will be better.” Haven’t we all had similar dreams of transformations solving all our problems? The truth of this sentiment is seen in Heimlich’s own life, when he finally receives his butterfly wings which end up being hardly big enough to move his body off the ground without the assistance of some ants.ĭespite this, his optimism gives us one of the greatest lines of the movie: “From way up here, you all look like little ants!” (Get it? Because they’re all ants). Truthfully, he probably reminds us all a little bit of ourselves. ![]() The fat green caterpillar with a German accent who dreams of becoming a butterfly is one of Pixar’s most beloved secondary characters. ![]() Why we all love Heimlich, I’m not sure, but the truth of the matter is that we all love Heimlich.
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