Southern Flannel Moth Caterpillar Hides Painful Secret
The southern flannel moth caterpillar may look harmless due to its fluffy appearance, but it's actually hiding a painful secret. Underneath its soft fur, this caterpillar has venomous spines that can cause intense pain and even lead to an allergic reaction.
When something brushes against the caterpillar, these spines can break off and embed themselves in the skin, slowly delivering the painful venom. The pain is usually described as a burning sensation and may last for about an hour, but it can be longer-lasting in more severe cases.
The southern flannel moth caterpillar is found primarily in the southeast and south-central United States, including parts of Florida, Arkansas, and Texas. It feeds on a broad range of plants, including oak, elm, rose, apple, and other trees and shrubs, which makes it common in forests, parks, and gardens.