What is this hairy-looking thing?
This is a puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis). While they may look huggable, puss caterpillars are one of the most venomous caterpillars native to the United States. Hidden amongst the hairs that cover the insect’s body are rows of venomous spines. Each spine is hollow with a venom gland at its base. Simply brushing against the caterpillar can leave a painful sting. “Intense burning pain” is the most described symptom, but some people develop more severe symptoms like headaches, fever, and difficulty breathing. If you are stung, take a picture of the insect to show a doctor just in case you need to seek medical attention.
Maxing out at about 1 inch in length, puss caterpillars are the larval form of the Southern flannel moth. An attractive, brown furry moth. The moths are not venomous. While most common on oaks and elms, puss caterpillars may feed on over 41 genera of plants throughout the eastern US. The pictured caterpillar was found feeding on heavenly bamboo (Nandina), a common landscape shrub in Clemson, SC. As a plant pest, they are rarely abundant enough to require management but be on the lookout when doing landscape work to avoid a painful encounter. Read more about the puss caterpillar here.
This week’s question is from Cory Tanner, Extension Horticulture Team Director.
The South Carolina Grower 