Distribution. It has numerous common names, including: southern flannel moth, for its adult form, and puss moth, puss caterpillar, tree asp, and the asp caterpillar, for its larval form. This BugGuide image supports that ID. The caterpillars, called puss caterpillars, can appear teardrop-shaped. The southern flannel moth is found from New Jersey to Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas (Covell 2005). Southern Flannel Moth - Megalopyge opercularis - Hwy 55 and Sedwick, Durham County, North Carolina, USA July 15, 2004. Could it be a Megalopyge opercularis (southern flannel moth cocoon)? 1 / 17. The entire event took less than 15 minutes until I went unconscious. Thanks Daniel! They reach about 1½ inches long and are densely covered with fine gray or tan hairs that taper in back to form a tail. Southern flannel moth, is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. Subfamily: Identification: Wings and body cream; thorax and FW base orangish. My parents didn’t think much of it when they learned about it – just said it was an asp and told me it would eventually stop hurting.
Dear Dianna, This is a Southern Flannel Moth, also called a Puss Caterpillar Moth, Megalopyge opercularis. Have a good day!When I lived in LaJunta, Tx as a teenager, I grabbed hold of a branch of a tree in our yard when my parents were gone. Many folks in the South are more familiar with the stinging caterpillar which is known as an Asp. Flannel Moth and Its Stinging Larva. Several reports of stings have come in lately so I thought it would be a good time to review this interesting insect. Southern Flannel Moth. Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.Hwy 55 and Sedwick, Durham County, North Carolina, USA I had everyone on Facebook stumped. While adult Southern Flannel Moths are striking to behold, the larvae of this species is capable of delivering a sting so painful, some liken the sensation to a sudden amputation. I had seen a little white fuzzy thing on the branch as I let go.
Had chills and pain the rest of the day – and days afterwards. Got strung on the little finger. I'm 5 foot tall and was 115 pounds at the time. I would have swore someone cut off my finger and was pouring boiling water into it. The caterpillars are sometimes called Asp Caterpillars because contact with one feels like a snake bite. Hi Kelly, We received a comment indicating the cocoons belong to the Southern Flannel Moth. I agree that this larva is dangerous.
The pain was unbelievable and the finger immediately began to swell. Have a good day! Thanks for the warning and for sharing your story.Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.
I am presuming this is a male due to the plumose antennae. I hope I can find one some day.Lynette, if your in an area to see one be careful of the larvae. Found at a lighted wall at an all-night self-service car wash. Puss caterpillars are the larvae of flannel moths. Found at a lighted wall at an all-night self-service car wash. A southern flannel moth caterpillar. Thanks Daniel! I'm terrified of them. No one knew what they were. Within minutes I began to have a metal taste in my mouth as I went unconscious. I took benadryl and went to bed at five o'clock PM. tag. 660063.00 – 4647 – Megalopyge opercularis – Southern Flannel Moth – (Smith, 1797) Photographs are the copyrighted property of each photographer listed. Photo: Courtesy/Ben Hutchins Venomous caterpillar makes annual appearance around San Antonio.
I brushed up against one of these 6 years ago while picking a pear out of my pear tree and was stung. Contact individual photographers for permission to use for any purpose. You will receive a new password via e-mail.Puss Moth or Flannel Moth from Mexico: possibly Mangrove Flannel Moth
The day was over for me.That sounded horrible. Back to … This was a small town in the vicinity of Fort Worth.Please enter your username or e-mail address. The pain like a thermometer moved it's way up my arm toward my heart.
They appear to be empty, indicating the adult Southern Flannel Moths have already emerged.
With a punch like that, I don't think I'd touch the moth either. I was stung in Maryland.It sounds like you had a terrible experience! Was startled by extreme pain on the inside of three of my fingers. The five mile drive to the emergency room was terrifying. Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae.It has numerous common names, including southern flannel moth for its adult form, and puss caterpillar, asp, Italian asp, woolly slug, opossum bug, puss moth, tree asp, or asp caterpillar. I do remember distinctly it affected my entire body, I’m learning now it must have been a southern flannel moth ‘offspring’! Digital Guide to Moth Identification about viewing options View by Region select region. Sorry to hear that you got stung.This thing is amazing. Southern flannel moth (Megalopyge opercularis) adults are golden yellow, grading to paler beige at the rear. It took the head of the emergency room leaving to look it up on the internet.
Megalopygidae.