Throughout history, humans have honed their instincts and acquired knowledge about which animals and creatures to avoid. While many wildlife species pose no threat to humans, it’s crucial to remain vigilant when venturing into natural settings.
This was precisely the approach taken by Leslie Howe, a mother who found herself at a quaint park with her family.
On an otherwise ordinary day spent outdoors with her children, Leslie Howe’s attention was suddenly captured by an unusual furry creature resembling a ball, as reported by USA Today.
Throughout history, humans have honed their instincts and acquired knowledge about which animals and creatures to avoid. While many wildlife species pose no threat to humans, it’s crucial to remain vigilant when venturing into natural settings.
This was precisely the approach taken by Leslie Howe, a mother who found herself at a quaint park with her family.
In 2014, Leslie, a mother from Georgia, encountered something peculiar near her children at their local playground.
While it had initially been an ordinary day out with her kids, Leslie suddenly noticed a strange furry creature resembling a ball, as reported by USA Today. Trusting her instincts, Leslie made a wise decision.
At the park in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Leslie was with her baby and two other young children when she noticed the furry object. Though small and seemingly harmless at first glance, Leslie felt a sense of unease and opted to steer clear. While this incident was first reported a few years ago, it has resurfaced online to raise awareness among American parents.
What lurked beneath the seemingly innocuous fur was indeed hazardous. Leslie hopes her story serves as a cautionary tale to others to avoid encounters with the suspect fur ball: a Megalopyge Opercularis larva, commonly known as the puss caterpillar.
The creature’s name likely stems from its resemblance to a cat’s soft fur. However, despite its benign appearance, the insect carries venomous bristles disguised beneath its hair.
These larvae, which can reach just over 1 inch in length, are found across much of the United States. NPR notes that they are often spotted “feasting on foliage in states between New Jersey and Florida and as far west as Texas.”
The sting of a puss caterpillar is excruciating and should never be touched. Contact can result in the bristles becoming embedded in the skin and injecting venom.
“It feels like a wasp sting but worse,” explains ethnologist Don Hall to National Geographic, as reported by Expressen. “The pain is immediate and intensifies after contact. The severity of the sting depends on the location and number of bristles embedded. Those who have encountered it on their hands have reported pain spreading up to their shoulders, lasting up to twelve hours.”
Eric Day, manager of Virginia Tech’s Insect ID Lab, experienced the sting firsthand while mowing his lawn in rural Virginia. After inadvertently brushing against a tree, he was stung by the peculiar-looking caterpillar.
“The burning sensation subsided within a day, but I had a blister and irritation in the area for several weeks,” he recalls.
If stung by a puss caterpillar, it’s advised to use tape to remove the venomous bristles and then gently wash the affected area with soap and water. Hydrocortisone cream or baking soda can help alleviate itching, according to the National Capital Poison Center. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
While puss caterpillar stings are rarely fatal, they can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Watchthe unique and enigmatic caterpillar here