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.

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.

2023年11月8日 · This caterpillar gives a nasty bite and is also called a puss moth caterpillar, woolly slug, or Italian asp. The name of ‘puss caterpillar’ comes from the fact that they look like tiny Persian cats. Due to their painful bite, this species is also called ‘asp’ caterpillars as their bite can be as painful as a snake’s one.

The Asp Caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, is endemic to the southern United States and causes hundreds of human envenomations annually. Envenomation from the spines of the cate rpillar causes severe pain, burning, swelling, nausea, abdomina l distress,

2008年4月1日 · We collected and analyzed 188 case reports of asp caterpillar envenomations over a three-year period. The geographical distribution of the caterpillars is confined to the southeast United States,...

2024年1月8日 · More than 50 species of caterpillars are venomous in the US. The puss moth caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis) is considered one of the most toxic in North America and causes hundreds of human envenomations annually. [7] [8] Other common names include asp, tree asp, Italian asp, wooly asp, opossum bug, wooly slug, and "el perrito." [7] .

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...

2018年6月1日 · The Megalopyge opercularis caterpillar, commonly known as the puss caterpillar, asp, wooly asp, Italian asp, opossum bug, wooly slug, and el perrito (the puppy), is one of the most venomous caterpillars in North America. 1 M opercularis is primarily found in the southeastern United States as far north as Virginia and as far west as Texas. 1−3 ...

2009年1月20日 · The best known venomous caterpillar in the American southwest is the puss moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, commonly called an asp, wooly asp, Italian asp, opossum bug, wooly slug, and el p...