If one were to crawl across your arm, you would feel a painful rash and stinging. Commonly, these caterpillars are called asps, not to be confused with the poisonous snakes of the same name. But these asps are also poisonous, and they’re found all over Texas.
What does a Texas ASP turn into?
Fun fact: Once the caterpillar turns into a flannel moth, he’s no longer venomous! The Texas asp is teardrop-shaped, and, with their long, silky hairs, resemble a tuft of cotton or fur. Their color varies from yellow or gray to reddish-brown, or a mixture of colors.
Are there asps in Texas?
The best known flannel moth and stinging caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth, or puss moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis. In Texas these caterpillars are commonly known as “asps”. This caterpillar is often abundant and may infest shade trees and shrubbery around homes, schools, and in parks.
What do ASP caterpillars turn into?
The Asp caterpillar forms a cocoon and hatches into the Southern Flannel Moth approximately 16 days later. The cocoons often remain on trees long after they have hatched. The Asp caterpillar feeds off of the leaves of woody plants such as holly. These are common targets for caterpillars in general.
What happens if you touch an ASP?
Envenomation causes intense throbbing pain, burning, and a rash with erythematous spots. More susceptible patients can experience swelling, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, shock, and respiratory distress.
How long does it take for ASP sting to go away?
Other people identify blood-colored spots at the heart of the sting. Some experience nausea and vomiting, severe headaches, and even shock and respiratory stress. The pain tends to subside in less than an hour, and the spots will disappear within approximately a day.
Can an ASP sting make you sick?
(Asp Stings)
Pain usually subsides in about an hour. Occasionally, the reaction is more severe, causing swelling, nausea, and difficulty breathing. (See also Introduction to Bites and Stings.
Are ASPS poisonous to dogs?
Other caterpillars like the Slug, Asp and Gypsy moth varieties appear hairy or spiny and can also be toxic to pets, causing intestinal problems and painful internal reactions. Keep a close watch on your pet and contact your veterinarian should yours come in contact with or ingest a spider.
What does an ASP eat?
Asps are known to feed on foliage of over 40 genera of plants. They will often wander to nearby plants when they are preparing to pupate. If you have large populations of these caterpillars and would like to manage them, you can try Bacillus thuringiensis var.
What is the most poisonous caterpillar in Texas?
The southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar, is perhaps the most painful stinging caterpillar one might encounter in Texas.
What is the difference between an asp and a caterpillar?
Caterpillars feed on leaves of many shrubs and bushes, such as hollies. Adults moths can be collected at lights. Pest Status: The caterpillar is called an “asp” by Texans, although there are other caterpillars that also produce a painful skin rash from contact with venom containing spines.
Are fuzzy caterpillars poisonous Texas?
The best-known and stinging caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth, or puss moth caterpillar. The caterpillars, often referred to as “asps,” are clothed with fine hairs and venomous spines, according to Michael Merchant, Ph. D., professor and extension urban entomologist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Are spiky caterpillar poisonous?
Also called the puss caterpillar, asp, woolly slug, or “possum bug”, this caterpillar has venomous spines hidden in the hairs (setae) on its body. When picked up, these spines deliver a powerful and painful sting. The venom can cause searing, throbbing pain, burning and sometimes a rash with red spots.
