Like many types of caterpillars, the polyphemus moth caterpillars look slightly different in each instar. It is common in Florida during the fall and spring on oak and elm trees and was recently sighted in Clermont, Florida, according to FOX 35 News. Leucostigma females cover their eggs with a frothy secretion but do not cover the secretion with setae (Ferguson 1978). Hickory horned devil caterpillars can grow up to 5.5 (14 cm) long. The imperial moth caterpillar is a horned caterpillar with long spiky horns at its head and a jaggy tail-like protrusion at its rear end. According to National Geographic, its venom is 15 times more potent than that of a rattlesnakethough, contrary to common myths, few people ever perish at the hands of the small spider. 17 Poisonous Caterpillars to Watch Out For. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. 611 pp. Some types of caterpillars are easy to identify because of where they feed. One of the scariest-looking caterpillars in Florida is the hickory horned devil caterpillar. Io moth caterpillars feed on a variety of host plants including hibiscus, elms, maples, wisteria, roses, azaleas, and willows. Resident Joel Mathis told Orlando TV. Female fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) applying secretion to her egg mass. The giant leopard caterpillar is a black spiny caterpillar that is common in the south-eastern United States. The Florida cecropia moth caterpillar, is an easy-to-identify fat caterpillar that has pronounced segments with rows of blue and yellow fleshy bumps, black spikes, and several orange tubercles at its head. The redhumped caterpillar gets its name from the distinctive red humps on its black, yellow, and white striped body. Figure 1. The tomato hornworm is a bright green caterpillar with V-shaped markings and a row of eye-like markings along its sides. The black swallowtail caterpillar doesnt have any horns, spikes, or spines on its smooth body. The stinging rose moth caterpillar is a colorful venomous caterpillar found along the east coast from New York to Florida. An imperial moth caterpillar can be tricky to identify because it can be orange with spiny hairs, green with orange horns, or brown with yellow dots and clumps of spines. American dagger Moth Caterpillar (Acronicta americana). Gilmer PM. Detrita and definita females cover their eggs with a secretion and then rub setae from their bodies onto the secretion to form a protective layer over the eggs. As the jaggy-looking caterpillar develops, it gradually becomes grayish-brown with dark red or brown dots along its sides. The four major stinging caterpillars occurring in Florida are the puss caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar, Io moth caterpillar and hag caterpillar. Last year, the Florida Poison Centers got 393 calls about people stung by. Body main color | Body main pattern | Distinct features | Hair density: Check boxes for all that apply. Spines cause sudden stinging redness and swelling in the affected area. This article is an identification guide to Floridas exotic, scary, stinging, horned, furry, and smooth-bodied caterpillars. Rash illness outbreaks at daycare facilities associated with the tussock moth caterpillar, April 2004 and April 2005. In addition, several varieties of stinging caterpillars in the Sunshine State can give you a nasty sting if you handle them. Figure 7. Figure 25. The sex pheromones of Orgyia detrita and Orgyia leucostigma have been characterized (Grant et al. Plants they feed on include blueberries, corn, elms, oaks, apple, citrus, and asters. Diaz JH. Pain should begin to decline after a couple hours and swelling declines after about 8 hours. The identifiable features of the black swallowtail are its green body with black, yellow-dotted bands around each of its segments. A stinging rose caterpillar has a yellow or red body with characteristic spiked horns on its back and a band of purple stripes. Figure 15. In the event of a possible plant poisoning, call your physician, veterinarian or Florida Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Fully grown caterpillars are about 2 cm long. Health and safety-wise, moths pose no harm or threat to humans - they are neither poisonous nor dangerous. Their stings are "considered among the most agonizing of afflictions," according to . Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The parts of these caterpillars you want to be weary of are the yellow or green fleshy protrusions that are tipped in black and extend from the back of the caterpillar. The oblong appearance and fuzzy spines make it difficult to identify the head end from its tail end. In 2017, a Florida woman's 5-year-old son accidentally stepped on one as he played outside. In Florida, there are two generations of puss caterpillars a year, one in spring and the other in fall. Caterpillars and Moths. The Zebra Longwing ( Heliconius charithonia) butterfly is easy to recognize by the zebra-like pattern on its wings. Parasitoids of Orgyia detrita and Orgyia definita have not been well-studied, but those of Orgyia leucostigma are well documented. Beneath those soft hairs are stiff spines attached to poison glands. Ferguson DC. There are also stinging hairs on its four sets of prolegs. These make the zebra longwing poisonous and foul-tasting to predators. Orgyia detrita has bright orange spots along the back and sides while the spots on leucostigma are yellow (Foltz 2004). You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Gilmer (1925) conducted histological studies of the urticating setae of Orgyia leucostigma and found that each seta has a venom gland at its base. A pipevine swallowtail caterpillar larva is easy to identify due to its black appearance, brightly-colored orange dots, and fleshy tentacle-like horns. 1. 110 pp. Figure 8. There are also blue circular patterns on its segments. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Apr 12, 2012 at 7:33 am. Associated Publishers. Common Bagworm Moth ( Psyche casta) Common bagworm moths are nocturnal and have a wingspan of 12 to 15 millimeters. The sides of Orgyia leucostigma are light in color, similar to the light form of detrita. Getting stung by one is more painful than you can imagine. These hairs can be as long as 1 inch. 2010. These large green or orange-brown caterpillars grow 3 to 5.5 (7.5 10 cm) long. A southern flannel caterpillar has a brown furry appearance with a broad rounded head that tapers to the tail end. Looking up close, you see that soft yellowish spines cover the prolegs and caterpillar abdomen. Allergic reactions are possible but not common. The southern flannel caterpillar (or puss caterpillar) is a type of hairy caterpillar that causes a nasty sting if you handle it. Because these caterpillars feed on spider webs, household debris including hair and fur, and use sand and insect parts to attach to its casing, frequent cleaning and vacuuming practices can help decrease potential food or nesting resources. *This species is not currently recorded from N.A. Photograph by Jerry F. Butler, University of Florida. Unlike other caterpillars in this list, Diprion pini is not from the moth or butterfly order Lepidoptera. Much of the older literature places the tussock moths in the family Liparidae and more recently in the . Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Large live oak tree defoliated by fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) caterpillars. The dark form is more common, its black with tiny white dots while the light form is white with a reddish head. It can be challenging to identify some Florida caterpillar species. Puss caterpillars are 2.5 cm long and covered with gray to brown hairs that conceal its head and mouthparts. Much of the older literature places the tussock moths in the family Liparidae and more recently in the Lymantriidae. The characteristics of the red admiral caterpillar that helps identify it are a shiny black body covered in bands of spiny spikes. The skin can become red and swollen, and the symptoms can last between one and seven days. Figure 16. To tell the two species apart, look at the markings on its side. They might look cute and fuzzy, but don't let their innocuous appearance fool you. Some exotic southern caterpillars have fleshy tentacle-like spikes that help with identification. From its back this caterpillar has a tail that extends beyond its body. 1960. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Here are 15 species of poisonous caterpillars from around the world. Identify a tobacco hornworm by its fat green body with whitish diagonal stripes and tiny eye-like markings on its sides. According to a report from the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida, the puss caterpillar and southern flannel moth is found from New Jersey to Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas. Stings from these caterpillars can cause intense burning, inflammation, and red blanching. Tussocks of the fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). As the imperial moth caterpillar goes through its instars, it gradually becomes darker and hairier. This species is relatively common throughout South Africa and feeds on a wide variety of African plants. Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio Troilus). The monkey slug caterpillar is one of the most unusual brown hairy caterpillars youll find in Florida. Dermatologic manifestations of encounters with Lepidoptera. To identify the cloudless sulphur caterpillar, look for a green body with bluish-black dots, light yellowish short spines, and a yellow lateral band along its sides. Volume 17 of Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas. Caterpillars of this species feed on plants in the madder family, including pentas. The wings of female pupae reach only slightly beyond the anterior margin of the fourth abdominal segment while those of male pupae extend nearly to the posterior margin of the segment (Mosher 1916). White-Marked Tussock Caterpillar (Orgyia leucostigma). The milkweed tiger caterpillar is covered in tufts of colorful black, orange, yellow, and white hairs. However, the females are grub-like with legs, but no wings, and they are light brown or yellow. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. It may be only an inch long, but you should still be sure to stay away from puss caterpillars in Florida. Detrita and U.S. populations of leucostigma have bright red heads while definita are unique because of their tan or yellow heads. Furthermore, females stay in their protective cases. 134 pp. Female fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) rubbing setae from her abdomen onto her egg mass. 1978. Heppner (2003) listed plants belonging to 116 genera that have been reported as hosts. Severity can vary for each individual. Enantiomers of (Z,Z)-6,9-heneicosadien-11-ol: Sex pheromone components of. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 34(1): 67-79. Figure 5. Bagworms are identified by the bag-like structures measuring 0.4 to 6 (1 to 15 cm) long and made from tree foliage. ECLECTIC ELEMENTS (PWTH004.TAUPE Butterflight). IFAS Extension. 2005. The four major stinging caterpillars occurring in Florida are the Puss Caterpillar, Saddleback Caterpillar, IO Moth Caterpillar and Hag Caterpillar. cocoons among foliage of ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata). Stings from this caterpillar are milder than the stings of other stinging caterpillars.
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