The Puss Caterpillar — Watch Out!

By Anna Thayer

Back in 2020 we saw a larger than normal increase of puss caterpillars, Megalopyge opercularis. [1] These furry little bugs have a large range from Mexico to Maryland and all of the southern states in between. Sometimes these caterpillars are called ‘flannel moth’ or ‘Southern flannel moth,’ but most people know them as a ‘puss moth’ or a ‘furry puss moth.’

No matter what you call them, they are considered the most venomous caterpillars in North America and if you get stung by one of these little cuties, you will be spending many hours in pain. [2] I know, they appear to be adorable…but you must resist petting them! We don’t know what our summer is going to look like for the furry puss moth population this year, but if you do come across one, be sure to capture a picture of it and keep your distance.

They like to hang out in bushes, trees, and about any outdoor areas. The Virginia Cooperative Extension says they are mostly found on hackberry, elm, plum, sycamore, oak, rose, and wild cherry. [3] The likelihood of you getting stung by one of them is low, but it can happen, and the greatest likelihood of it occurring is hanging around one of those places or plants and brushing up against the caterpillar. So when you are enjoying your time outside this summer, make sure to inspect the area before placing your hands on the greenery.

Though the puss caterpillar has received moments in the spotlight, it is not the only venomous caterpillar in our area. Virginia is home to six different venomous caterpillars! [4] Poison Control has a list of things you can do if you are stung by one of those caterpillars which include carefully removing the caterpillar from your skin, gently put tape over the area of skin that has been stung and pulling up the tape to remove any spines, then repeat with fresh tape if needed. Once free of spines, you should wash the area with soap and water, use baking soda and water or hydrocortisone cream for itchiness or an antihistamine if is still itches, and call the doctor if your skin blisters or looks unusual. [5]

The caterpillars will be out towards the end of summer and into the fall season. This is the time of the year when they prepare to transition into moths. They will fall out of trees or bushes as they start to pupate and this is when you are most likely to see or have an encounter with them. [6] Once they are done turning into a moth, they are no longer poisonous.

Stay safe out there. Don’t pet caterpillars!

References:

1 - https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/beware-of-the-stinging-puss-caterpillar-warns-virginia-tech-insect-expert/

2 - https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/moths/puss.htm#:~:text=common%20name%3A%20puss%20caterpillar%20(larva,%3A%20Lepidoptera%3A%20Zygaenoidea%3A%20Megalopygidae)

3 - https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/puscater.html

4 - https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/sticater.html#:~:text=The%20six%20species%20common%20in,the%20sides%20of%20its%20body.

5 - https://www.poison.org/articles/caterpillar-stings

6 - https://www.today.com/news/virginia-residents-warned-avoid-venomous-puss-caterpillars-t193946

Additional links:

https://www.virginialiving.com/the-daily-post/puss-caterpillar/

https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/wp-content/uploads/sites/274/2019/08/Caterpillars-2019.pdf

https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/puss-caterpillar-or-asp/