Tussock moth caterpillar Redrawn from Gilmer (1925) by Jane C. Medley, University of Florida. He has suggested that levels of parasitism of pupae often approach 50 per cent (Foltz 2004, 2006). The black caterpillar has recognizable red bands visible in between sharp spines. Princeton University Press. The luna moth caterpillar is a light green crawling insect with a plump body, red dots, and tufts of small spines. Figure 9. As the long-tailed skipper caterpillar matures, its body becomes pale green, and it develops pinkish patterns. Adults: Adults are dimorphic. Definita is also lighter in body color than the other two species (Foltz 2004). White Admiral Caterpillar (Limenitis arthemis). There is a white or yellow line on each side of the dark mid-dorsal line of leucostigma (Ferguson 1978, Godfrey 1987). Rather, a black widow bite can cause muscle aches, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Fascicle 22.2 Noctuoidea: Lymantriidae. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health issued an alert for hairy caterpillars. 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. Additionally, you often find it feeding on hickory leaves in Florida. A gulf fritillary caterpillar has distinctive spines poking out from a smooth orange body with a blackish stripe. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Imperial Moth Caterpillar (Eacles imperialis). Caterpillars of the mottled cup moth, commonly found in eastern Australia, have a complex venom made up of 151 separate toxins, according to new research published in the journal PNAS. You can find red admiral caterpillars feeding on stinging nettle leaves. Catalogue of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of North America north of Mexico. Look closely at the monarch caterpillar, and youll notice white dots on its prolegs and black forelegs. The caterpillars may be contacted when they drop from the host trees or when they wander from the trees in search of a place to spin their cocoons. Symptoms vary in severity to include burning or stinging, itching, redness, and inflammation. Giant Leopard Caterpillar (Hypercompe scribonia). In addition, the small green caterpillars have yellowish-green bands separating the segments. Figure 2. The zebra longwing caterpillar is a pale gray crawling insect with long black fleshy spikes often found in the southern United States. There are two puss caterpillar generations a year in Florida; one in spring and another in fall. The cabbage looper is a green caterpillar common to Florida. Despite being a bizarre-looking green caterpillar, the large, plump caterpillar turns into one of Floridas most beautiful brown moths. Moths are incapable of biting, especially when adults, making them even less of a harm to humans. Figure 19. Its easy to identify an azalea caterpillar due to its rusty brown or orange oval head, black and green stripes, and brownish-orange tail end. Tussocks of the fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). Hickory horned devil caterpillars can grow up to 5.5 (14 cm) long. The stinging rose moth caterpillar is a colorful venomous caterpillar found along the east coast from New York to Florida. This butterfly is mainly found in Central and South America. Orgyia definita: Entire eastern U.S. Figure 8. Ferguson DC. You can find the furry puss caterpillars in most southern states, including Florida. The Io moth caterpillar is a green stinging caterpillar that you can find in Florida. White-Marked Tussock Caterpillar (Orgyia leucostigma). It can be challenging to identify some Florida caterpillar species. Classey, Ltd. London. Puss caterpillars are 2.5 cm long and covered with gray to brown hairs that conceal its head and mouthparts. The state Department of Forestry is warning residents to be on the lookout for . Fir tussock moth caterpillar (Orgyia detrita) parasitized by wasps. Palo Alto, California. For example, many caterpillars only feed on specific types of shrubs, plants, or trees. People apparently vary somewhat in their sensitivity to Orgyia species hairs. Moths are dangerous to pets and human beings since they contaminate human food and pet food. Cabbage looper caterpillars are identifiable by their thin lime-green or yellowish-green body and arching action when moving. Dermatologic manifestations of encounters with Lepidoptera. For current control recommendations, contact your county extension agent. Resident Joel Mathis told Orlando TV. Caterpillars hatch from eggs and develop into worm-like crawling insects with four sets of prolegs, six forelegs, and a segmented body. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - Florida officials are warning about a potentially harmful caterpillar that may be lurking where your kids play during recess. ENY-276. The itch and welt could last up to a day, but it varies between individuals. Identifying the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar is easy due to its large eyespots, black and blue dots, and a dark line along its side. Giant Silkworm Moth Caterpillar (Lonomia obliqua) Found in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, the giant silkworm moth caterpillar is one of the top poisonous species of caterpillar. The beautiful Io moth, Automeris io (Fabricius), is one of our most recognizable moths. Figure 18. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The caterpillars feed on poisonous plants, such as milkweed, and those poisons survive the caterpillar's pupation. The black swallowtail caterpillar doesnt have any horns, spikes, or spines on its smooth body. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Red Admiral Caterpillar (Vanessa atalanta). Figure 30. An identifiable trait of this jaggy-looking caterpillar is its two long black horns on its head. The caterpillar grows up to 2 (5 cm) long. 670 pp. 2009. The hickory horned devil gets its name from the menacing red horns at its head. Black Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). (1979): Figure 29. Many people are familiar with brightly colored caterpillars, but few know about "Cape Lappet Moth caterpillars" ( Eutricha Capensis ). Photographs by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Florida is home to many types of caterpillars. These caterpillars feed on a variety of woody plants including oaks, dogwood, and apple. 2003). This article is an identification guide to Floridas exotic, scary, stinging, horned, furry, and smooth-bodied caterpillars. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Figure 11. IFAS Extension. A bizarre little insect that looks like a walking toupe and squirts venomous pus from knifelike spines is terrorizing Virginia this year, according to the state's Department of Forestry (VDoF).. Medina and Barbosa (2002) looked at predation of small and large Orgyia leucostigma larvae in a temperate forest and suggested that birds were the major predators of large larvae but most mortality of smaller larvae was probably due to failure to find a suitable host during ballooning dispersal and also possibly to predation by invertebrate predators in the leaf litter. 2 Red Widow Spiders Premaphotos / Alamy Stock Photo If you suspect your cat has been bitten by a poisonous spider, get to the veterinarian right away. Parasitoids: Larvae and pupae are killed by various parasitoids. Atrubin D, Wansbrough L, Cruse K, Stanek D, Blackmore C. 2012. The green and black stripes and orange markings make the voracious larvae easy to spot on azaleas, rhododendrons, and apple trees. A characteristic feature of the cloudless sulphur caterpillar is that its color changes depending on its food. The characteristic trait of the small cabbage loopers is the arching or looping movements they make when crawling on plants. 2003, Gries et al. The identifiable features of the black swallowtail are its green body with black, yellow-dotted bands around each of its segments. Cocoons & Pupae: Cocoons are constructed of silk and setae from the caterpillars. 2009. The white admiral caterpillar is a Florida caterpillar that looks like bird poop. Floridians recall being stung by puss caterpillars In 2018, a Florida teen described the sting as feeling like his wrist was "on fire." "It's burning," 15-year-old Logan Pergola told his mom, as a . Although its hairy body looks soft, poisonous spines lurk underneath and can break off in your skin, causing severe pain. A Florida woman posted on Facebook that she was hospitalized after. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Health officials said the Orgyia leucostigma is also known as the white-marked tussock moth. Advertisement. Queen butterfly caterpillars grow 2 (5 cm) long. Ballooning is also important given their propensity for spinning cocoons off their host plants (i.e., on buildings, fences, and other man-made objects). The spiny oak slug caterpillar is a colorful larva with jagged spikes around its body and four pairs of upward-pointing spiked orange horns. After emerging from the pupa, the once spiky black caterpillar becomes a stunning black and red butterfly. The identifiable traits of the polyphemus moth caterpillar are a bright green, almost translucent body and rows of bright red or silver spiny dots around its segments. Identify a tobacco hornworm by its fat green body with whitish diagonal stripes and tiny eye-like markings on its sides. Palm Beach County News . north of Mexico (OHara 2012). The recognizable feature of an azalea caterpillar is its round orange head and tail section. What You Need to Know About the Southern Flannel Moththe Country's Most Poisonous Caterpillar, Dream Team: Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson Spotted Cruising Through Dollywood in a Golf Cart, Check Out the New Rollercoaster Headed to Dollywood in Spring 2023, Jennifer Garner Brings Aid to Eastern Kentucky During Tour Of Flood-Ravaged Communities, County Fair Queen Linda Skeens Revealed! Most types of moths are only poisonous if they're consumed.. Southern flannel caterpillars grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. Gainesville, Florida. The Zebra Longwing ( Heliconius charithonia) butterfly is easy to recognize by the zebra-like pattern on its wings. Associated Publishers. A Richmond, Virginia, resident described. Male fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). Further Reading: Moth Life Cycle. Journal of Chemical Ecology 29(3): 589-601. Spiny Oak-Slug Caterpillar Euclea delphinii. Browntail moths are most common along Maine's coast . Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar (Citheronia regalis). Here are some mildly poisonous caterpillars that are best to be stayed away from.. American Dagger Moth Acronicta americana. Heppner (2003) listed plants belonging to 116 genera that have been reported as hosts. The four major stinging caterpillars occurring in Florida are the Puss Caterpillar, Saddleback Caterpillar, IO Moth Caterpillar and Hag Caterpillar. The protruding spikes on the zebra longwing caterpillar make it easy to identify. Some types of caterpillars are easy to identify because of where they feed. The southern flannel caterpillar also has the common name puss caterpillar because it looks like a Persian cat. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Large live oak tree defoliated by fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) caterpillars. Common hosts in other parts of its range include oak, maple, hackberry, birch, and willow (Wagner 2005). Spines are hollow with a toxin gland at the base. This appears when the caterpillar is threatened, and it looks like a forked snakes tongue. Although the fir tussock moth is not a highly familiar moth even to most entomologists, an image of an adult male does appear in a popular design used on ornamental paper, wall art, journal covers, purses, and fabric (Tim Holtz, personal communication). Buck moth caterpillars have a dark form and a light form; both forms have dark, lateral rows of multi-branched spines along their backs. Redhumped Caterpillar (Schizura concinna). Lonomia, often considered to be the most venomous, is included in this subfamily. Saddleback caterpillars feed on a variety of plants including maples, hibiscus, palms, and crapemyrtle. Allergic reactions are possible but not common. Medina RF, Barbosa P. 2002. These caterpillars are covered in soft hairs that seem like fun to touch but fight the urge! The caterpillar is also mildly toxic to birds and other predators. 134 pp. In Florida, feeding damage to large trees by Orgyia species does not usually harm the trees. The puss or asp caterpillar of the southern flannel moth is recognized as one of the most venomous species found in the U.S. and its sting . Heppner JB. Woolly Bear Caterpillars and their adult-form, Isabella Tiger Moths, are found in incredibly varied climates, even the Arctic! Taming an invasive plant that's 8 feet tall and poisonous is no small feat, especially if you're a tiny moth. Puss caterpillars feed on a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs, and are most often found on oaks and citrus. Female fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) applying secretion to her egg mass. The beautiful caterpillar has colorful bands wrapping around each segment. Zebra Longwing. Also, large numbers of larvae blown onto small landscape trees may result in severe defoliation. 1. Unlike other caterpillars in this list, Diprion pini is not from the moth or butterfly order Lepidoptera. Symptoms of a puss caterpillar sting include intense pain, swelling, a red, itchy rash, restlessness and anxiety, vomiting . Preliminary studies of the nuclear-polyhedrosis viruses infecting the white-marked tussock moth, Tussock moth caterpillars in north central Florida, Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico, A classification of the Lepidoptera based on characters of the pupae, Update of Tachinid Names in Arnaud (1978), entry at North American Moth Photographers Group. The sides of Orgyia leucostigma are light in color, similar to the light form of detrita. pupa with spatulate setae. The green horned tobacco hornworm caterpillar is a plump larva with a light green body, eyespot markings, and white diagonal stripes along its sides. To identify the luna moth caterpillar, look for its brown head, lines of bright red dots running along its light green body, four pairs of large prolegs, and three pairs of brown forelegs. In Florida, youll often find the white admiral caterpillar feeding on willow, aspen, cherry, and birch trees. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Detrita also lacks the whitish tornal spot of leucostigma and definita (Ferguson 1978). There is a humane way to get rid of cane toads. Saddleback caterpillars grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. That reaction can include an itchy rash, vomiting, swollen glands and fever, according to the University of Michigan. One of the scariest-looking caterpillars in Florida is the hickory horned devil caterpillar. The yellow body is marked with wide black stripe down the back bordered with red at each end. However, there are techniques a homeowner can use to decrease the pressure by the Household Casebearer. Hillsborough County (Florida) Health Department. While most butterflies and moths are likely non-toxic to hungry humans, a few species -- like the familiar monarch butterfly (Family Nymphalidae) -- feed on poisonous or unpalatable plants as larvae. 1960, Knight 1922) and clinical dermatology (Hossler 2009 & 2010 ) literature. These small insects are one of the country's most venomous . Stinging and Venomous Caterpillars of the Southeast, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Other traits of the pipevine swallowtail caterpillar are two rows of bright orange dots along its back. Wingspreads of Orgyia species are 2.0-3.5 cm (0.78-1.4 in). The zebra longwing gets its poison from the pollen it . These insidious creatures spend the winter in cocoons and emerge twice a yearin the spring and fall. Next apply ice packs to reduce the stinging sensation and slather on a paste of baking soda and water. 15 pp. Fir tussock moth (light and dark forms), Orgyia detrita, and whitemarked tussock moth, Orgyia leucostigma, caterpillars. Orgyia detrita has two common color forms in Florida, a dark form and a light form. Wagner DL. The stinging spines of this caterpillar contain poison that can cause a stinging sensation if you touch them. Orgyia detrita: Coastal Plain from Long Island to Florida and Gulf States west to Texas (Ferguson 1978, Wagner 2005, Orgyia detrita entry at North American Moth Photographers Group web site). If you're unfortunate enough to have a run in with a puss caterpillar, Florida Poison Information Center recommends putting Scotch tape over the affected area and "striping it off repeatedly to remove spines." When touched, these poisonous spines break off in the skin and cause severe pain. Tim Holtz.com. Castor beans, rosary beans and rosary peas all cause similar symptoms, according to the Florida Poison Control Center. The caterpillar grows 0.5 (1.2 cm) long. Close-up pictures of the zebra longwing show the pointed black spikes are covered in fine spines. The striped caterpillars grow up to 2 (5 cm) long. 2004. "If you do see one, leaving them alone is the best thing to do," he added. The stinging spiny oak slug caterpillar has two orange bands along its back and circular green and white patterns. The buck moth caterpillar also has a rounded shiny black head. Look for jaggy horn-like upward-pointing spikes along its back and small clumps of spines along its sides. Orgyia definita: Only willow (Salix sp.) You can identify luna moth caterpillars feeding on walnut, hickory, birch, and alder trees. In Florida there are two generations a year, one in spring and the other in fall. The American dagger caterpillar is a hairy pale yellow caterpillar with long black pencil hairs. The cloudless sulphur caterpillar is a light green caterpillar with black raised dots producing small spines. Poisonous glands attached to stinging spines can cause skin irritation if you handle this fuzzy caterpillar. Part II. Orgyia leucostigma: Polyphagous. Expand Autoplay. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry health team, these . Division of Plant Industry. This black and gray caterpillar feeds on passionflower foliage that helps it develop toxic compounds. The egg stage is the overwintering stage for all three species. Knight HH. They eat things that make them poisonous to their predators (such as birds, who can tolerate more poison than other animals). Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Completed cocoon of fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). Saddleback caterpillars are brown on the front and back ends and the middle of the caterpillar is green with a brown oval (the border is usually bordered with white). Youll find black swallowtail caterpillars on milkweed and parsley plants. Stinging caterpillars dont sting with a stinger the way wasps or bees do, they have stinging hairs called urticating hairs. 110 pp. The bella moth was eating the plant's poisonous seeds, which help it produce chemical defenses that make the moths and their eggs unpalatable to would-be predators. Early cocoon of fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) before many setae are incorporated. Orgyia sp. White Flannel Moth Caterpillar (Norape ovina) The mature white flannel moth caterpillar can reach 1-1/4 inch in length. Mature bagworms can grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. Despite their soft appearance, the insect's hairs pack a painful punch. Saddleback Caterpillar, University of Florida; Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Penn State Extension; Io Moth, University of Florida . Figure 27. Eight-Spotted Forester Caterpillar (Alypia octomaculata). Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea). They emerge from eggs bright yellow and gradually become green during each stage. In 2017, a Florida woman's 5-year-old son accidentally stepped on one as he played outside. These make the zebra longwing poisonous and foul-tasting to predators. Their stings are "considered among the most agonizing of afflictions," according to . Last year, the Florida Poison Centers got 393 calls about people stung by. The genus name Orgyia (Greek for the length of the outstretched arms [Borror 1960]), is based on this pose. Tobacco hornworm caterpillars look like tomato hornworms. Queen Butterfly Caterpillar (Danaus gilippus). (Inset: photomicrograph of antrose [distally projecting] barbs on urticating setae of the tussocks). The University of Florida recommends euthanizing them by rubbing or spraying 20% benzocaine toothache gel or sunburn spray (not 5% lidocaine) on the . However, there can be color variations, with some buck moth caterpillars appearing mostly white or brown. 2005. The puss caterpillar is one of the "most venomous caterpillars in the U.S.," and it's making its seasonal return to at least one unlucky Southern state. Black swallowtail caterpillars are large green larvae with black and yellow stripes around their segments. The multi-branched spines contain toxins that can sting if they break off in the skin. Gries R, Khaskin G, Khaskin E, Foltz JL, Schaefer PW, Gries G. 2003. Unfortunately, because of their green coloring, tomato hornworms can be difficult to spot under tomato leaves. At first I thought they looked like Atala caterpillars, but as we both know, we are too far north and on the wrong coast. These caterpillars can be perceived as dangerous and poisonous given their color. For a detailed taxonomic history and synonyms, see Ferguson (1978). This caterpillar is one of the largest moth larvae, and it turns into one of the biggest moths in the USthe regal moth. Figure 6. Cruse K, Atrubin D, Loyless T. 2007. In Florida, the overwintering eggs begin to hatch in late February. It is uncommon in the northern parts of its range. Diaz JH. 2011. Hairy forest tent caterpillars mature at 2.5 (6.5 cm) long. (Photo: Sturgis McKeever; Georgia Southern University; Bugwood.org). On top of their irritating hairs, many stinging caterpillars also release a toxin on contact with the spines, which can add to the pain and may even be a health concern for some people. Introduction and Catalog. Caterpillars of Eastern North America. According to the University of Florida, the four major stinging caterpillars found in Florida are the puss caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar, Io moth caterpillar and hag caterpillar.. The stinging spines are hollow, easily break off, and can embed deeply into skin. Males are difficult to distinguish, but fresh specimens of Orgyia leucostigma and Orgyia definita have a purplish tint that is lacking in Orgyia detrita. Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar (Euclea delphinii). The long-tailed skipper caterpillar is a large green slug-like caterpillar with rings of yellow dots around its segments and lateral greenish-yellow green lines running the length of its back.