Stinging Caterpillars
Stinging caterpillars have specialized hairs capable of delivering a toxin that may penetrate or spread out on the skin. Reactions may range from mild irritation to serious medical problem depending on the species, the degree of contact, and the susceptibility of the individual. Persons with known allergies, sensitive skin, or severe reaction should promptly seek medical attention.
Some of the stinging caterpillars are called slug caterpillars because their prolegs lack the tiny hooks that most other caterpillars have, and the prolegs are so short that some of the slug caterpillars resemble slugs. Several species of slug caterpillars, saddleback caterpillars, hag moth caterpillars and stinging rose caterpillars, have stinging hairs that can inflict a quite painful sensation.
To see pictures of some of these caterpillars, visit the following websites: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/96PestNews/News19/pusscat2.jpg
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/96PestNews/News19/parasa1.jpg
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/96PestNews/News19/io1.jpg
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/96PestNews/News19/hckbrry1.jpg
Slug caterpillars overwinter in tough silk cocoons. Moths emerge the following spring and summer and lay flat eggs on leaves of various trees and shrubs. Puss caterpillars are one of the stinging caterpillars in the family of flannel moths. They produce a stinging sensation when brushed against due to tiny hollow spines, which are filled with an urticating fluid. Puss caterpillars feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs, especially oak, elm, hackberry, maple, and sycamore trees. The moths are yellow-brown in color and have fluffy, wavy, white hairs. The young larvae sometimes feed in groups on the surface of the leaf. Older larvae devour the entire leaf. The caterpillars finally spin a dense cocoon in which it spends the winter. Puss caterpillars are usually not abundant enough to be noticed, although rare outbreaks may be widespread and may cause noticeable defoliation. Two generations probably occur each year, and the winter is spent in the cocoon spun someplace on the host tree. Sevin or one of the Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) pesticides should give adequate control if necessary, but B.t. is not very effective on older caterpillars. Usually only a few are found and chemical control is not needed. Crush the insects with a stick or rock, if desired. You can also leave it alone.
Al Cooke
Extension Agent - Agriculture
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
N C State University
PO Box 279
Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542.8202, FAX 919.542.8246
al_cooke@ncsu.edu
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/staff/acooke/home.html