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Cute little fuzzy caterpillar

WebSlave

WebSlave

It is what it is, but certainly not what it was.
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Man, this thing looked so fuzzy and cuddly, I just wanted to pick it up and hug it.......


puss_caterpillar_2018_01.jpg



puss_caterpillar_2018_02.jpg



puss_caterpillar_2018_03.jpg



Yeah, I know.... I would have REALLY regretted doing that. For those of you who might not know what this is, it is a Puss Caterpillar. Considered to be the most venomous caterpillar in the USA.

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/09/toupee-caterpillar-venomous-animal-weird-insect/
 
What should be setting off alarm bells are all the bristles around the head in that third pic. THOSE are what will really hurt!

Hope I don't see more of these in the citrus trees. Sure wouldn't want Connie or myself to get zapped by one of these by just not seeing it on the underside of a leaf while we are picking fruits off of the trees. It would be yet another piece of mother nature that I won't be real happy about.
 
Thick... gardening... gloves.

What does this guy turn into, and when - is there a season, after which you would be safe?

(Quick Google Search shows it's a current problem in Florida...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poisonous-caterpillar-sting-sends-florida-boy-to-the-er-mom-warns/)

"In Florida, there are two generations of puss caterpillars a year, one in spring and the other in fall. Last year, the Florida Poison Centers got 393 calls about people stung by caterpillars, JoAnn Chambers-Emerson, an educator at the Florida Poison Information Center in Tampa, told CBS News.

The caterpillars are most often found on oak and citrus trees. But as Staggs discovered, these "crazy critters" can be just about anywhere.

If you believe you have been stung by a puss caterpillar, don't panic. The Poison Center of Tampa has some recommended steps to take.

"Place Scotch tape over the affected area and strip off repeatedly to remove spines. Apply ice packs to reduce the stinging sensation, and follow with a paste of baking soda and water," the poison control center wrote in a statement online. "If the victim has a history of hay fever, asthma or allergy, or if allergic reactions develop, contact a physician immediately."
 
I got nailed by one of those climbing a tree in Orlando back in early 70's and I still remember it!
 
joyknights said:
It is so beautiful, may I know what type of camera did you used to capture these photos?
Click to expand...

Sorry, been preoccupied lately.

Photos were taken using a Nikon D850 camera with the Nikkor 70-180mm Zoom Micro lens.
 
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