Adult moths tend to leave behind feces, eggs, and cocoons that remain after the caterpillar hatches. Borror DJ. Control of the caterpillars is difficult because by the time they are migrating from the trees, it is too late. Each of the body segments features black tubercles that look like small round dots. The six horn-like structures are black with red coloring at the base. Figure 15. Hairs in the cocoons retain their urticating capability for up to a year or longer. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The species is found from New Jersey to Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas. Youll find black swallowtail caterpillars on milkweed and parsley plants. The southern US is home to many species of tent caterpillars, including the forest tent caterpillar. However, beneath its hairy surface are poisonous barbs that pack a powerful sting, which can result in days and even weeks of pain. Its bright green and yellow colors and black stripes act to ward off predators. 1978. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. You will also notice two characteristic black long horns at the head end and two shorter horn-like tails. All caterpillars in Florida are poisonous. 2003. Adults: Adults are dimorphic. Photograph by Lyle Buss, University of Florida. Recently molted male fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) pupa (ventral view). 611 pp. 2009) and Polistes paper wasps (Castellanos et al. These caterpillars have stinging hairs in a row along each side as well as some on their front and back ends. They eat things that make them poisonous to their predators (such as birds, who can tolerate more poison than other animals). Gulf fritillary caterpillars mature at 0.5 (1.2 cm) in length. Cabbage looper caterpillars grow up to 1.5 (4 cm). The wings of female pupae reach only slightly beyond the anterior margin of the fourth abdominal segment while those of male pupae extend nearly to the posterior margin of the segment (Mosher 1916). Classey, Ltd. London. The caterpillar grows up to 2 (5 cm) long. The large buck moth caterpillar is among the largest stinging caterpillars in Florida. To identify the cloudless sulphur caterpillar, look for a green body with bluish-black dots, light yellowish short spines, and a yellow lateral band along its sides. However, they may occasionally be sufficiently numerous to completely defoliate large trees. Allergic reactions are possible but not common. Figure 9. Additionally, they have metallic brown wings. Though the adult moths do not sting, if they are seen in an area, it is safe and best to assume that the more dangerous larvae are nearby or will soon be born. Symptoms vary in severity to include burning or stinging, itching, redness, and inflammation. Most common in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states (Ferguson 1978, Orgyia definita entry at North American Moth Photographers Group web site). You can also call Miami Poison Control at 800-222-1222. An Io moth caterpillar has an identifiable green body, tufts of urticating spines, and a colorful red and white stripe running the length of its body just above its legs. Her expertise extends from weddings and animals to every pop culture moment in between. Giant silkworm moth larvae and flannel moth caterpillars are specifically noted for their ability to cause a painful sting. Hossler EW. Health officials said the Orgyia leucostigma is also known as the white-marked tussock moth. The beautiful Io moth, Automeris io (Fabricius), is one of our most recognizable moths. Look closely at the monarch caterpillar, and youll notice white dots on its prolegs and black forelegs. Mature bagworms can grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. The caterpillars may be contacted when they drop from the host trees or when they wander from the trees in search of a place to spin their cocoons. The Asp: A Caterpillar That's Dangerous for Pets. The eight-spotted forester larva is an orange caterpillar with bands of white and black stripes around its body. Saddleback caterpillars get their name from their saddle-like markinga square green patch with a large brown circle in the middle. Images of butterflies and moths are common in movies, art, jewelry, and fabrics. The green and black stripes and orange markings make the voracious larvae easy to spot on azaleas, rhododendrons, and apple trees. 1979. Castor beans, rosary beans and rosary peas all cause similar symptoms, according to the Florida Poison Control Center. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. There are also blue circular patterns on its segments. To identify the redhumped caterpillar, look for its characteristic black and white stripes on a yellow body, black fleshy tentacles, and a band of red bumps around its thorax. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) It might look soft and hairy, but experts warn to look, not touch. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The Io moth, like many of the other saturniid moths, is less common now in parts of its range. OHara JE, Wood DM. Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company. Eight-Spotted Forester Caterpillar (Alypia octomaculata). The identifiable feature of the tiger swallowtail is its strange eye-like markings on either side of its head. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Note purple tint on wings and white tornal spot. Predators: Tussock moth larvae have various natural enemies. Figure 14. The skin can become red and swollen, and the symptoms can last between one and seven days. A Florida woman posted on Facebook that she was hospitalized after. As the plump caterpillars devour plant leaves, they go through various stages called instars. They emerge from eggs bright yellow and gradually become green during each stage. Fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) caterpillar (light form). Body main color | Body main pattern | Distinct features | Hair density: Check boxes for all that apply. Polyphemus moth caterpillars have a bright green, plump body with bright red dots in bumps around each segment. Saddleback caterpillars grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. These caterpillars feed on a large variety of plants but are most commonly found on citrus, oaks, and elms. Beadle D, Leckie S. 2012. The identifying feature of this tussock caterpillar is tufts of spiny hairs covering its body. As its name suggests, tomato hornworms gorge on tomato plant foliage. Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria). Puss caterpillars are 2.5 cm long and covered with gray to brown hairs that conceal its head and mouthparts. The caterpillar of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata) feeds on firs, spruce, Douglas-firs, and other evergreens of the western United States and are a major cause of their defoliation. Look for jaggy horn-like upward-pointing spikes along its back and small clumps of spines along its sides. It'll also put you in a world of pain. A few species are known to sting, which can cause mild skin irritations, but none contain venom that may be harmful to people. Predation of small and large. Browntail moths are most common along Maine's coast . Southern Flannel Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis). Beneficial Insects and Mites. Insects and Spiders. . Caterpillars of Eastern North America. One of the unusual caterpillars youll find in Florida is the cecropia moth caterpillar. Learn all about garden moths: important pollinators. Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar (Dionevanillae). These hairs can be as long as 1 inch. A southern flannel caterpillar has a brown furry appearance with a broad rounded head that tapers to the tail end. Older larvae are leaf-edge feeders. Florida Journal of Environmental Health 195: 14-17. Medical attention may be necessary for more severe reactions. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 18: 203-239. The caterpillar has four sets of black prolegs and three sets of pointed forelegs. It is one of those moths that have been found in every continent except Antarctica. The caterpillar is also mildly toxic to birds and other predators. The caterpillars have an insatiable appetite and can quickly defoliate tomato plants. Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar (Euclea delphinii). The beautiful caterpillar has colorful bands wrapping around each segment. The zebra longwing gets its poison from the pollen it . The spiny caterpillar has a dark body with lateral blue bands, yellow lines, and white patches. The larval stage of the buck moth is covered in branched spines that deliver a powerful sting upon contact with a perceived enemy. Saddleback Caterpillar, University of Florida; Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Penn State Extension; Io Moth, University of Florida . Pictures of four poisonous caterpillars in Florida. It's always a good idea to take a physical sample or photos of the plant to . The stinging spines of this caterpillar contain poison that can cause a stinging sensation if you touch them. The dark-colored caterpillar has fine hairs covering its body, giving it a velvety appearance. This can cause irritation similar to handling fiberglass. The buck moth caterpillar also has a rounded shiny black head. Fully grown caterpillars are about 2 cm long. Goldman et al. Tussock moths in the genus Orgyia are small moths that are best-known because of their attractive larvae. You will also notice a red and white stripe along each side. This appears when the caterpillar is threatened, and it looks like a forked snakes tongue. Last year, the Florida Poison Centers got 393 calls about people stung by. As a result, some immature caterpillars may look completely different from mature caterpillars before entering the pupal stage. There are two puss caterpillar generations a year in Florida; one in spring and another in fall. Also called the bean leafroller, an identifying feature of the green caterpillar is its black or burgundy globular head and orange patterns at its tail. Atrubin D, Wansbrough L, Cruse K, Stanek D, Blackmore C. 2012. It is the most poisonous one in Florida. One of the most venomous caterpillars in the U.S., the puss. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. E.W. Stinging Rose Caterpillar (Parasa indetermina). Many people are familiar with brightly colored caterpillars, but few know about "Cape Lappet Moth caterpillars" ( Eutricha Capensis ). Identify a tobacco hornworm by its fat green body with whitish diagonal stripes and tiny eye-like markings on its sides. Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella). The eye markings are black dots with a white center and light green ring around it. A stinging rose caterpillar has a yellow or red body with characteristic spiked horns on its back and a band of purple stripes. They are a common sight in backyards all over Florida, and can even provide benefits to your garden. The spiny hairs are also urticating, meaning they will cause itching or dermatitis if they break off and stick in your skin. Giant leopard caterpillars grow up to 2 (5 cm) long. When touched, these poisonous spines break off in the skin and cause severe pain. Prickly poisonous caterpillars turn up in new places 01:55. . Grant GG, Slessor KN, Wei L, Abou-zaid MM. Saddleback caterpillars feed on a variety of plants including maples, hibiscus, palms, and crapemyrtle. Male whitemarked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma). Figure 8. 2005. The characteristic trait of this furry caterpillar is a wide rusty brown band around a black body. The giant horned caterpillar has a bluish-green body, curved spiny red horns with black tips, orangey-red head, and black spines on its body. Males are small, relatively dull-colored moths with prominent bipectinate antennae. A bizarre little insect that looks like a walking toupe and squirts venomous pus from knifelike spines is terrorizing Virginia this year, according to the state's Department of Forestry (VDoF).. To identify the queen butterfly caterpillar, look for recognizable black and white stripes in between black bands with two yellow markings. This green Florida caterpillar has a pale-yellow stripe running along its sides. Puss caterpillars are 2.5 cm long and covered with gray to brown hairs that conceal its head and mouthparts. Figure 31. Larvae: Larvae are 1-1.5 inches in length. The characteristics of the red admiral caterpillar that helps identify it are a shiny black body covered in bands of spiny spikes. The pine sawfly caterpillar is identified by its pale green body and black markings in rows along its sides and back. Tobacco hornworm caterpillars look like tomato hornworms. Medina and Barbosa (2002) looked at predation of small and large Orgyia leucostigma larvae in a temperate forest and suggested that birds were the major predators of large larvae but most mortality of smaller larvae was probably due to failure to find a suitable host during ballooning dispersal and also possibly to predation by invertebrate predators in the leaf litter. Florida Museum of Natural History photo by Andrei Sourakov. Another defensive mechanism is its defensive organ osmeteriuma forked tongue-like structure that appears behind its head when threatened. Male fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). Their stings are "considered among the most agonizing of afflictions," according to . For circulation or delivery issues, email Home_delivery . Detrita also lacks the whitish tornal spot of leucostigma and definita (Ferguson 1978). Depending on the species, caterpillars can have striped, dotted, or mottled patterns. Poisonous spider bites can cause major illness or even death. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Figure 17. The tomato hornworm is a bright green caterpillar with V-shaped markings and a row of eye-like markings along its sides. Meghan Overdeep has more than a decade of writing and editing experience for top publications. Black Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). Completed cocoon of fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita). Associated Publishers. Identification of the white admiral caterpillar is by its brownish-olive body with white, uneven blotches on its back and along its sides. Unfortunately, because of their green coloring, tomato hornworms can be difficult to spot under tomato leaves. Actually, they are brachypterous (short-winged) but cannot fly. Names from Arnaud (1978) have been updated by OHara and Wood (2004) and OHara (2012). Mature puss caterpillars begin to spin their cocoons by making a thin framework of silk using their hair covering as support. If you suspect your cat has been bitten by a poisonous spider, get to the veterinarian right away. it has a 2.8 to 3.9-inch wingspan and is the state butterfly of Florida. Recently molted male fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) pupa (lateral view), Orgyia detrita. Plants they feed on include blueberries, corn, elms, oaks, apple, citrus, and asters. Every day, Florida poison centers receive calls about bites and stings from insects and spiders. Foltz (personal communication) counted egg masses on cocoons and found that there were far less than the 50 percent that would be expected based on a 50:50 ratio of females to males obtained by laboratory rearings. The brown and white caterpillar grows up to 1.6 (4 cm) long. Lyle Buss, senior biological scientist at the University of Florida, explained to Tampa Bay Times that most stings are harmless, only producing a rash. For example, many caterpillars only feed on specific types of shrubs, plants, or trees. Megalopyge opercularis is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. Young children from Florida to North Carolina are reporting excruciating pain after coming into contact with the most venomous caterpillar in the U.S., the furry puss caterpillar ( Megalopyge . Don't swallow or chew on the beans. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Definita is also lighter in body color than the other two species (Foltz 2004). These Florida caterpillars, at the last stages of growth, have a slug-like tiny body covered with many orange or bright yellow . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The cloudless sulphur caterpillar is a light green caterpillar with black raised dots producing small spines. You can spot this caterpillar feeding on milkweed and dogbane plants. However, there are techniques a homeowner can use to decrease the pressure by the Household Casebearer. With younger black-wave flannel moth caterpillars, the long wispy hairs hide the venomous short, sharp spines. After hatching, the young larvae feed on the remaining egg mass and then spin a silk thread that they use to balloon for dispersal (Thurston 2002). Pain should begin to decline after a couple hours and swelling declines after about 8 hours. Figure 19. Severity can vary for each individual. Tachinid puparium from Orgyia sp. In Florida, the overwintering eggs begin to hatch in late February. Orgyia detrita (the fir tussock moth) is the most common of the species in Florida followed by Orgyia leucostigma (the whitemarked tussock moth) and finally Orgyia definita (the definite tussock moth), which is rare in Florida (Foltz 2004). After contact a sudden stinging or burning sensation begins and the affected area may begin to itch and turn red. Crystal River, FL 34429 Phone: 352-563-6363 For technical issues, email webadmin@chronicleonline.com. Polka-Dot was Moth caterpillars have the longest bristle hairs of all caterpillars in Florida. EPI-NOTES Disease Surveillance Newsletter. *This species is not currently recorded from N.A. Poisonous glands attached to stinging spines can cause skin irritation if you handle this fuzzy caterpillar. 1. 134 pp. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. According to National Geographic, its venom is 15 times more potent than that of a rattlesnakethough, contrary to common myths, few people ever perish at the hands of the small spider. These large caterpillars can reach 6.5 cm. Adult Indian meal moths are about 8-10 mm in length and have a wingspan of 16-20 mm. 1960. To identify a tomato hornworm, look for the characteristic pale yellowish V markings and eyespots along each of its sides. The luna moth caterpillar is a light green crawling insect with a plump body, red dots, and tufts of small spines. Most of the urticating hairs are in the dorsal tussocks of the caterpillars (Knight 1922), but a few are also found on the lateral verrucae and intermingled with the black plume hairs of the hair pencils (Gilmer 1925). A Richmond, Virginia, resident described. Youll find these furry yellow caterpillars feeding on hickory, maples, birch, and oak leaves. Here are 15 species of poisonous caterpillars from around the world. The monarch caterpillar is a type of striped, horned Florida caterpillar that has black, white, and yellow colors. You can often spot forester moth caterpillars feeding on herbaceous plants in Florida. Caterpillars and Moths. (Inset: photomicrograph of antrose [distally projecting] barbs on urticating setae of the tussocks). ORLANDO, Fla. - The venomous puss caterpillars are popping up around Central Florida - and you'll want to keep your distance! Once in your skin these hairs cause sudden or gradually building pain depending on the specific caterpillar. 8. Immediate, excruciating pain is inevitable and should be expected. The cloudless sulphur caterpillar grows 1.6 to 1.8 (4 4.5 cm) in length. In addition, look for the four horns at the head and a tail at its rear. The Florida cecropia moth caterpillar, is an easy-to-identify fat caterpillar that has pronounced segments with rows of blue and yellow fleshy bumps, black spikes, and several orange tubercles at its head. Feeds on oak, willow and other deciduous plants. Large live oak tree defoliated by fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) caterpillars. This article is an identification guide to Floridas exotic, scary, stinging, horned, furry, and smooth-bodied caterpillars. Leucostigma females cover their eggs with a frothy secretion but do not cover the secretion with setae (Ferguson 1978). Hillsborough County (Florida) Health Department. Just like the Red Lacewings caterpillars, the caterpillars of Zebra Longwing butterflies feed on passion vines which contain toxins. When human skin or those of pets are exposed to these excretions, it results in allergic reactions and in other cases . The gulf fritillary caterpillar is an orange caterpillar with spiny spikes around each segment. They're normally about an inch long and are often found near oak and . Ferguson DC. Youll find tobacco hornworms feeding on tomato plants and other nightshade crops. A few common hosts include oak, cherry, hackberry, and willow. They have dense yellow setae (short hairs covering the body) that are mildly poisonous. In some years the larvae are very numerous and become a problem when they leave their host plants to search for suitable sites to spin their cocoons. The recognizable feature of an azalea caterpillar is its round orange head and tail section. The medical importance of Orgyia species caterpillars is well-documented in the scientific (Diaz 2005, Gilmer 1925, Goldman et al. Fox News reports that the larvae of the Southern flannel moth, also commonly known as "asps," have been spotted in Florida, and experts are urging residents to stay far away from the furry white insects which like to hang out on oak and citrus trees. The oblong appearance and fuzzy spines make it difficult to identify the head end from its tail end. In the event of a possible plant poisoning, call your physician, veterinarian or Florida Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). A characteristic feature of the cloudless sulphur caterpillar is that its color changes depending on its food. . IFAS Extension. 2003. Symptoms can last anywhere from a day to over a week. Floridians recall being stung by puss caterpillars In 2018, a Florida teen described the sting as feeling like his wrist was "on fire." "It's burning," 15-year-old Logan Pergola told his mom, as a . The stinging spines are hollow, easily break off, and can embed deeply into skin. Ballooning is also important given their propensity for spinning cocoons off their host plants (i.e., on buildings, fences, and other man-made objects). Castellanos I, Barbosa P, Caldas A. Although it looks like a stinging caterpillar, the banded woolly bear doesnt sting and isnt poisonous. Additionally, it is called an asp caterpillar because the painful sting can be as excruciating as a snake bite. The southern flannel caterpillar (or puss caterpillar) is a type of hairy caterpillar that causes a nasty sting if you handle it. Figure 24. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Contact dermatitis in daycare facilities. Cloudless Sulphur caterpillar (Phoebis sennae). Figure 1. Rash illness outbreaks at daycare facilities associated with the tussock moth caterpillar, April 2004 and April 2005. 17 Poisonous Caterpillars to Watch Out For. Lonomia, often considered to be the most venomous, is included in this subfamily. The Moths of America North of Mexico Including Greenland. The banded woolly bear caterpillar is a black and brown hairy caterpillar that is common in Florida. This is a defensive characteristic of some caterpillars to scare off predators. Urticating hairs can be especially irritating when they get into your eye. Fox News reports that the larvae of the Southern flannel moth, also commonly known as "asps," have been spotted in Florida, and experts are urging residents to stay far away from the furry white insects which like to hang out on oak and citrus trees. Males are difficult to distinguish, but fresh specimens of Orgyia leucostigma and Orgyia definita have a purplish tint that is lacking in Orgyia detrita. Orgyia definita: Only willow (Salix sp.) Southern flannel caterpillars grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Cabbage looper caterpillars are identifiable by their thin lime-green or yellowish-green body and arching action when moving. Cape Lappet Moth Caterpillar. The Zebra Longwing ( Heliconius charithonia) butterfly is easy to recognize by the zebra-like pattern on its wings. Dropping from host plants in response to predators by a polyphagous caterpillar. Journal of Chemical Ecology 29(3): 589-601. Figure 22. The unusual milkweed tiger caterpillar is identified by clumps of orange, white, and light brown hairs covering its body. The spicebush swallowtail caterpillar changes from brown to green and then yellowish-green. The form that occurs from South Carolina to Texas is subspecies Orgyia leucostigma leucostigma (Godfrey 1987). The bella moth was eating the plant's poisonous seeds, which help it produce chemical defenses that make the moths and their eggs unpalatable to would-be predators. (1979): Figure 29. 2010. Introduction and Catalog. Part 1. Common Bagworm Moth ( Psyche casta) Common bagworm moths are nocturnal and have a wingspan of 12 to 15 millimeters. "A puss caterpillar sting feels like a bee sting, only worse. Petersen Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. Spiny oak-slug caterpillars have a range of colors but can generally be identified by their oval, stout bodies, and their abundance of spiny protrusions. Resident Joel Mathis told Orlando TV. Queen Butterfly Caterpillar (Danaus gilippus). The imperial moth caterpillar is a horned caterpillar with long spiky horns at its head and a jaggy tail-like protrusion at its rear end. The identifiable features of the cecropia caterpillar are its large, ridge-like segments, blue and orange tubercles with black spikes, and a lime green body. Figure 6. However, there can be color variations, with some buck moth caterpillars appearing mostly white or brown. Much of the older literature places the tussock moths in the family Liparidae and more recently in the Lymantriidae. As the green larva matures, its pale-yellow translucent head with fake eyespots turns a rusty-red color. Figure 27. Contact with the cocoons produces the same symptoms. 1922. The protruding spikes on the zebra longwing caterpillar make it easy to identify. Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio glaucus). Taming an invasive plant that's 8 feet tall and poisonous is no small feat, especially if you're a tiny moth. The long-tailed skipper caterpillar is a large green slug-like caterpillar with rings of yellow dots around its segments and lateral greenish-yellow green lines running the length of its back. larva. When touched, the poisonous spines break off in the skin and cause severe pain. Non-venomous caterpillars that cause skin irritation. Figure 13. Hairy forest tent caterpillars mature at 2.5 (6.5 cm) long. However, not all furry caterpillars are poisonous. Additionally, there are small clumps of green or orange spines along its back and body. The sex pheromones of Orgyia detrita and Orgyia leucostigma have been characterized (Grant et al. Because they will eat almost anything, including herbs, tree leaves, and grasses, they can be found pretty much anywhere plants are growing. Redrawn from Gilmer (1925) by Jane C. Medley, University of Florida. A banded woolly bear caterpillar is easy to identify due to the two black bands at its head and tail ends and a brown band around its middle. You can find the furry puss caterpillars in most southern states, including Florida. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The milkweed tiger caterpillar is covered in tufts of colorful black, orange, yellow, and white hairs. Figure 3. A comparative study of the poison apparatus of certain lepidopterous larvae. There are butterflies who also take nectar or, in rare cases, pollen from poisonous plants. The literature frequently describes the females as being wingless. There is little doubt that Orgyia detrita and Orgyia definita also have many parasitoids. The antennae of male pupae are longer and broader than those of females and the wings of male pupae are longer than those of female pupae. The zebra longwing caterpillar is a pale gray crawling insect with long black fleshy spikes often found in the southern United States. These caterpillars can be perceived as dangerous and poisonous given their color. Palo Alto, California. One of the strangest green caterpillars youll find in Florida is the spicebush swallowtail larvae. Giant Leopard Caterpillar (Hypercompe scribonia). Residents in Central Florida are warning others that the "Puss Caterpillars," often described as being. Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio Troilus). The pipevine swallowtail caterpillar is a dark-brown, almost black caterpillar with fleshy horns at its head, tail, and sides. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health issued an alert for hairy caterpillars. Caterpillars of the mottled cup moth, commonly found in eastern Australia, have a complex venom made up of 151 separate toxins, according to new research published in the journal PNAS. Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea). Stinging rose larvae measure about 1 (2.5 cm) long. To identify the luna moth caterpillar, look for its brown head, lines of bright red dots running along its light green body, four pairs of large prolegs, and three pairs of brown forelegs. Furthermore, females stay in their protective cases. 670 pp. Figure 12. Photograph by Lyle Buss, University of Florida. Although its hairy body looks soft, poisonous spines lurk underneath and can break off in your skin, causing severe pain. Cabbage Looper Caterpillar (Trichoplusia ni). It is common in Florida during the fall and spring on oak and elm trees and was recently sighted in Clermont, Florida, according to FOX 35 News. University of Florida. It is also called the hairy caterpillar. Description A large caterpillar, 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 long when mature. Puss Caterpillar/Southern Flannel Moth Megalopyge opercularis. Pupae appear hairy and have patches of dorsal spatulate setae (vesicles of Mosher 1916) on abdominal segments 1-3. Zebra Longwing. Preliminary studies of the nuclear-polyhedrosis viruses infecting the white-marked tussock moth, Tussock moth caterpillars in north central Florida, Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico, A classification of the Lepidoptera based on characters of the pupae, Update of Tachinid Names in Arnaud (1978), entry at North American Moth Photographers Group.

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