Joel Mathis, a Clermont resident, told FOX 35 News that he saw some of the fuzzy caterpillars over the weekend. It is one of the most venomous caterpillars in the United States. It is the larva of the puss moth, also known as the southern flannel moth.
Puss Caterpillar in Florida
According to Lyle Buss, an entomologist at the University of Florida's Insect Identification Lab, puss caterpillars are fairly common in Florida. Despite this, she claims she has not seen any this year. She believes that this species is the most venomous stinging caterpillar in Florida.
In a blog post by the University of Florida's Entomology and Nematology Department, it stated that puss caterpillars grow more hairs with each molt. Puss caterpillars molt and grow through several stages before metamorphosing into their adult form, which is similar to other caterpillars. It has the appearance of a fluffy cat, but its hairs are not as soft and cuddly and are stingers.
The hollow hairs have a venom gland at their base. Each hair on the caterpillar becomes more toxic as it grows, just as the caterpillar becomes fluffier with each molt.
According to Buss, the majority of people will experience intense burning pain at the stinging site, but a small percentage of people may have a more severe allergic reaction.
Painful Sting of the Puss Caterpillar
According to Newsweek, a Florida woman who was stung in 2019 that the pain felt like it was jumping from one area to another. She stated that she would not wish it on anyone because it was the worst.
The sting's effects and pain vary among individuals. It also depends on the thickness of the area of skin where the sting occurred.
The burning sensation would subside after a day or so, but the blister and subsequent irritated area remained visible for several weeks, according to Eric Day, manager of Virginia Tech's Insect ID Lab, who was also stung.
It is not the instantaneous shock of a hornet or wasp, but it builds up over time in a frightening way, according to David Wagner, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut. He claims that no one expects stings to become more painful or painful after an hour, but they do.
Puss Caterpillar Toxicity in Bones
According to University of Florida entomologist Donald Hall, the puss caterpillar got its name because it resembles a cuddly house cat. While these insects appear soft, their outer comb-over conceals small, extremely toxic spines that pierce your skin.
Hall explained that a puss caterpillar sting is similar to a bee sting. However, it is worse. He said that the pain immediately and rapidly worsens after being stung. It can even cause bone pain.
The severity of the sting is determined by the area where the person is stung and the number of spines embedded in the skin. People who have been stung on the hand report that the pain can extend up to their shoulder and that it can last for up to 12 hours.
