Thursday, 24 December 2015

Asp Caterpillars (Megalopyge opercularis) have a variety of nicknames: southern flannel moth, puss caterpillar, and...


Asp Caterpillars (Megalopyge opercularis) have a variety of nicknames: southern flannel moth, puss caterpillar, and the tree asp. They are considered the most highly venomous caterpillars in North America. The “hairs” of these caterpillars can break off and cause itching, but also hide an unpleasant surprise: sharp spines. The spines are connected to venom gland cells, and function like little hypodermic needles. The pain from injected venom is said to be intense, and lasts at least 12 hours.

Article:
http://www.wired.com/2014/09/never-touch-anything-looks-like-donald-trumps-hair/

Video source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBoAwg29CgI

Reference:
http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/09/16/toxic-toupee-explaining-the-most-venomous-caterpillar-in-the-u-s/

#biodiversity   #toxicmoth   #coolcritters

10 comments:

  1. I wish you a happy Christmas Corina Marinescu :-)

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  2. Jean-Marc Luna
    Joyeux Noël & Merci beaucoup! ;)

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  3. Wishing you and family a happy & safe Christmas , im sure many appreciate your effort on this medium as i do , cheers

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  4. so don't pet the fuzzy caterpillar!  He makes me think of sloths for some reason!

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  5. That doesn't look like it would produce a butterfly that could fly.

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  6. Carlo Biscotto merci.
    Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  7. Boy that's a big caterpillar.. big it is.

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  8. Michael Nichol A bit hard to tell how big it is from that gif...

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