Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
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, fire caterpillar, woolly slug, opossum bug, [3] puss moth, tree asp, or asp caterpillar.
They have venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation lasting for several days. In some cases, the sting may cause headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. Perhaps the most notorious for stinging is the caterpillar of Megalopyge opercularis. Caterpillars have seven pairs of prolegs, while other Lepidopterae have five or ...
Lonomia obliqua is a species of saturniid moth ("giant silk moth") from South America. [1] It is famous for its larval form, rather than the adult moth, primarily because of the caterpillar's defense mechanism, urticating bristles that inject a potentially deadly venom.
For premium support please call: 800-290-4726 more ways to reach us
Larva of Lonomia obliqua, the most toxicologically-significant species, to mammals, of its genus; stings are a medical emergency and require treatment with antivenom. Several lepidopteran families include species whose larvae bear urticating hairs. Families prominent in this respect include the following: [2] [3] [4] [5]
Larvae might be confused with the similarly flattened larvae of lycaenid butterflies, but those caterpillars have prolegs, are always longer than they are wide, and are always densely covered in short or long setae (hair-like bristles). The head is extended during feeding in the lycaenids, but remains covered in the Limacodidae.
Schmidt set the sting of the Western honey bee at a pain level of 2 to be the anchoring value, basing his categorization of all other stings on it. [6] He has categorized a variety of wasps , bees , and ants into pain level 2, including yellowjackets , the Asiatic honey bee , the trap-jaw ant , and the bald-faced hornet .
Particularly painful are stings from fire ants, although the bullet ant's sting is considered by some to be the most painful insect sting. [3]: 450 First aid for fire ant bites includes external treatments and oral medicines. [citation needed] External treatments: a topical steroid cream (hydrocortisone), or one containing Aloe vera [4]