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. They are of minor importance as enemies of shade trees, but they can cause a severe sting.

Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. It has numerous common names, including southern flannel moth for its adult form, and puss caterpillar, asp, Italian asp, fire caterpillar, woolly slug, opossum bug, [3] puss moth, tree asp, or asp caterpillar.

2018年11月12日 · According to Texas A&M University, the state is home to a few different kinds of stinging caterpillars, which are called asps. It’s not common to get stung, but if you’ve ever known a victim of the...

2023年7月13日 · Scientists at the University of Queensland in Australia decided to find out. The team revealed that the venom of asp caterpillars, also known as puss caterpillars, contains a special protein that...

2021年10月26日 · The best-known flannel moth and stinging caterpillar in Texas is the puss moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, commonly called an “Asp.” This caterpillar is often abundant and may infest shade trees and shrubbery around homes, schools, and in parks.

Common Name: Puss caterpillar or “asp” Scientific Name: Megalopyge opercularis (J. E. Smith) Order: Lepidoptera. Description: The caterpillars grow to about 1 inch long and are furry in appearance, being completely covered by thick tan to grayish-white hairs that taper toward the back end. Among the long body hairs are shorter spines that ...

2022年4月12日 · Asp or puss caterpillars, more formally known as the Texas southern flannel moth Megalopyge opercularis, emerge in the late spring and summer months to lay eggs on trees and heavily wooded areas. They can be found in shaded trees, shrubbery and wooded areas located around homes, schools and parks, according to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.

Larvae of the genus Megalopyge (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae), known as asp or puss caterpillars, produce defensive venoms that cause severe pain. Here, we present the anatomy, chemistry...

Puss moth caterpillars (Megalopyge opercularis), of the order Lepidoptera, are also known as asps. They are one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America. Puss moth caterpillars are endemic to the southern United States and live in shade trees and shrubbery around homes and schools and in parks.