Are ASPS dangerous? Their hairs are venomous and cause severe pain. According to Texas A&M University, the state is home to a few different kinds of stinging caterpillars, which are called asps.
How bad does an ASP Sting hurt?
Asp Sting Pain The pain from an asp sting has actually been referred to as an extreme, throbbing, burning type of pain. The pain normally subsides within an hour without treatment. The severity of the pain depends upon the dose of the venom or the number of hairs embedded on the skin.
Are ASP caterpillars poisonous?
Despite their harmless-looking appearance, asp caterpillars, or Megalopyge opercularis, are considered North America's most venomous caterpillar species. Common in the Houston area, the fuzzy-looking asps are covered with hundreds of spiky needles that upon touching can cause severe allergic reactions.
What does an ASP Sting look like?
Getting stung by an asp is an experience very few individuals will forget. The asp is known as one of the most dangerous stingers in North America since of its ability to deliver a severe sting. It is teardrop fit, differs in color, and looks like a tuft of cotton or fur.
How to treat ASP Sting first aid?
Asp Sting First Aid 1 Apply ice bag over the afflicted site. 2 Administer oral antihistamines to alleviate burning and itching sensations. 3 Apply tape over the afflicted site and pull to remove the hair or stingers. 4 See a doctor right away for allergic reactions, severe pain, or eye injuries. More items...
How poisonous are ASPS?
This snake is highly poisonous. The asp's bite is very painful, and untreated bits can be fatal. Symptoms of an asp bite begin with sharp pain, followed by swelling and bruising. The venom can cause rapid degradation of blood vessels, leading to problems with vision.
How do you get rid of ASPS?
The best way to control the Asp caterpillar in your garden is by using a pesticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This is a naturally occurring microbe approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
What is the most dangerous ASP?
The most dangerous is the asp caterpillar, which is the larva of the southern flannel moth, Megalopyge opercularis (Figure 2).
What to do if you see an ASP?
What to do if you're stung by an asp?Apply an ice pack to the sight of the sting. ... Take antihistamines if the pain is more forceful. ... Some asps have stout spines, which will become stuck in your skin if you're stung. ... If you're allergic to insect bites or stings or if the pain continues, see a physician immediately.
What trees do ASPS live in?
Asps fall from oak trees, elm trees, some citrus trees and rosebushes.
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 happens if an asp snake bites you?
Envenomation from these snakes features immediate pain that can be severe. This pain is likely due to venom components such as proteases, biogenic amines and probably other constituents. Pain is followed within a few minutes by inflammatory edema and sometimes blistering at the bite site (grade 1).
Is an asp a snake?
asp, anglicized form of aspis, name used in classical antiquity for a venomous snake, probably the Egyptian cobra, Naja haje. It was the symbol of royalty in Egypt, and its bite was used for the execution of favoured criminals in Greco-Roman times. Cleopatra is said to have killed herself with an asp (see also viper).
Does asp turn into anything?
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.
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.
How long does a asp sting hurt?
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.
Do ASPS hiss?
The primary warning is hissing, Kramer said. Bulls will sometimes bellow, but that sounds is likely related to communicating and mating with other gators.
What is the first aid publication for stinging caterpillars?
First aid information in this publication is based on recommendations published in the Physician’s Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance (Jerome Goddard, 1996, CRC Press, 2nd Ed.). For more information on stinging caterpillars request publication L-1312, Stinging Caterpillars, from your local county Extension office. These publications, and help with additional questions about asps or other pest problems, can be obtained by contacting your county Extension office.
What is the name of the stinging caterpillar 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.
Can a puss moth cause damage to trees?
Puss moth caterpillars rarely cause serious damage to trees; however they can pose a health hazard to children and gardeners. Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. Stings on the arm may also result in pain in the axillary (armpit) region.
Do caterpillars eat yaupon?
Caterpillars may also be seen feeding on dwarf yaupon and other shrubs. One to two generations occur each year, though southern flannel moth caterpillars tend to be more common in the fall. The caterpillar spends the winter within a unique-shaped cocoon. Cocoons can be found on the trunk or branches of the host plant.
Why are wasps dangerous?
Why are Wasps so Dangerous? While wasps play an important role in preserving the environment, they can be an annoying pest. Not only can they ruin a family gathering in a backyard, but they can also prove to be incredibly dangerous. The following are some reasons why wasps are so dangerous.
What is the problem with wasps?
Aggressive and Territorial. The main problem with wasps is that they are aggressive and territorial. The entire colony is involved in the nest making process, and they will protect it with their lives. When a colony decides to build a nest in your yard or home, it will be difficult to approach.
What happens if you are allergic to wasps?
If someone that is allergic to wasp stings becomes stung, they can experience a severe reaction. This will require immediate medical attention, and multiple stings can significantly worsen their condition. It is important to always have epinephrine on hand to prevent anaphylactic shock.
Can a wasp sting multiple times?
Multiple Stings. Unlike bees, wasps are capable of stinging multiple times. The stinger will detach off of a bee when it stings a human, which causes the bee to die. When a person approaches a wasp nest, the wasps will continuously sting the intruder.
What Makes Wasps Dangerous?
Certain characteristics make some wasps more dangerous than others. The sting, the venom, and even their aggression are all signs of dangerousness.
13 Most Dangerous Wasps
The following wasps have been seen as dangerous to humans. They are all found in parts of the US.
Summary
The most dangerous wasps often sting without warning. They can have aggressive behavior when living in solitude. But they become increasingly life-threatening when they attack in swarms.
Why do wasps sting?
If you are stung by a wasp, it may be because they felt challenged or attacked. Wasps can fly at a top speed of nearly 6 mph so do not run. Wasps can sting multiple times. Bees leave the stinger. They do not like certain smells like cinnamon, cucumber, and cloves.
Is a wasp dangerous?
Wasps are very dangerous and territorial. When challenged they will not only sting you but will sound the alarm to the others and a swarm will not be far away.
Is a yellow jacket nest dangerous?
While the sting of both can be unpleasant, a wasp presents a greater danger to humans, especially people allergic to bees or wasps. yellow jacket nest.
Do wasps love gardens?
Wasps love and protect your garden! They love insects such as caterpillars and flies. Because of this, they protect the beautiful gardens surrounding your home. Paper wasps, also known as the umbrella wasp, these wasps love meadows, and fields, and prefer to nest under an overhang or eave of a roof. Paper wasps are aggressive and will attack ...
Can wasps recognize faces?
Wasps can recognize faces! We just thought this was a great fun fact to share and special thanks to the people at National Geographic for this information: Scientists have discovered that Polistes fuscatus paper wasps can recognize and remember each other’s faces with sharp accuracy, a new study suggests.
What does an asp sting look like?
It is teardrop fit, differs in color, and looks like a tuft of cotton or fur. A sting is provided when the asp is rubbed or its hairs get in contact with human skin. The hair gets ingrained into the skin which is responsible for the delivery of contaminants that causes severe pain.
How long does it take for an asp sting to subside?
The pain from an asp sting typically subsides after an hour but an hour of pain is not something anybody ought to experience.
What happens when a puss moth stings you?
When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, poisonous hairs end up being ingrained. Getting stung by an asp is an experience very few individuals will forget. The asp is known as one of the most dangerous stingers in North America since of its ability to deliver a severe sting.
What is the best medicine for a sting?
See a doctor right away for allergic reactions, severe pain, or eye injuries. Severe pain from an asp sting may be treated with morphine, codeine, and meperidine, all of which are managed drugs. Standard painkiller have no impact on severe asp sting pain.
Does envenomation cause a rash?
Envenomation causes extreme throbbing pain, burning, and a rash with erythematous spots. More vulnerable patients can experience swelling, queasiness, abdominal pain, headache, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, shock, and breathing distress. Wound pain typically subsides within an hour, and the erythematous spots disappear in a day.
Treatment of Puss Moth Caterpillar Stings
Treatment for local reactions to asp stings includes washing the skin with soap and water (using noncontact drying such as a hair dryer), local cooling measures such as an ice pack, or topical isopropyl alcohol, and putting tape on the site and pulling it off to remove embedded hairs.
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Identification
Biology
- Adult puss moths emerge in late spring or early summer to lay several hundred eggs on favored host trees, such as oaks, pecan, elm, hackberry and other trees. Caterpillars may also be seen feeding on dwarf yaupon and other shrubs. One to two generations occur each year, though southern flannel moth caterpillars tend to be more common in the fall. The caterpillar spends th…
Damage
- Puss moth caterpillars rarely cause serious damage to trees; however they can pose a health hazard to children and gardeners. Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. Stings on the arm may also result in pain in the axillary (armpit) region. Erythematous (blood-colored) spots may appear at...
First Aid
- An ice pack should be applied to the site of the sting, and oral antihistamines can be administered to help relieve the itching and burning sensations. For caterpillars with stout spines (such Io moth and saddleback caterpillar), try carefully applying cellophane tape to, and stripping it from, the sting site. This helps remove the irritating spines. For allergic reactions, such as generalized itch…
Control
- Puss moth caterpillars can be controlled when they become abundant by spraying with a residual pesticide such as permethrin, cyfluthrin or similar sprayslabeled for control of caterpillars on ornamental plants. In some cases, such as on school playgrounds, the best solution may be educating students and teachers on what the caterpillars are, and the importance of not touchin…
For More Information
- First aid information in this publication is based on recommendations published in the Physician’s Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance (Jerome Goddard, 1996, CRC Press, 2nd Ed.). For more information on stinging caterpillars request publication L-1312, Stinging Caterpillars, from your local county Extension office. These publications, and help with additional questions about …
Author
- Michael Merchant, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service