Saddleback caterpillar. This is a very unusual
and striking insect. It is brown with a green back and
flanks, on which there is a conspicuous brown oval
central area that usually is bordered with white. The
brown spot looks like a saddle, and the green area looks
like a saddle blanket; hence, the common name. It may
exceed an inch in length and is stout-bodied. The
primary nettling hairs are borne on the back of paired
fleshy protuberances toward the front and hind ends of
the body. 'There is also a row of smaller stinging organs
on each side. This caterpillar feeds on many plants,
including hibiscus and palms, but appears to show little
host preference.
Puss caterpillar. lt is a convex, stout-bodied larva,
almost 1'' long when mature. and completely covered
with gray to brown hairs. Under the soft hairs are stiff
spines that are attached to poison glands. When touched,
these poisonous spines break off in the skin and cause
severe pain. Puss caterpillars feed on a variety of
broadleaf trees and shrubs, and are most often found on
oaks and citrus. In Florida there are two generations a
year, one in spring and the other in fall. Natural enemies keep these caterpillars at low numbers during
most years, but they periodically become numerous.
Io moth caterpillar. This is a pale green caterpillar with yellow and red stripes. It often exceeds 2'' in
length and is fairly stout-bodied. The nettling organs
are borne on fleshy tubercles, and the spines are usually
yellow with black tips. They feed on a wide range of
plants, but ixora and rose are their favorite hosts.
Hag caterpillar. This caterpillar is fight- to dark-
brown. It has nine pairs (sometimes fewer) of variable-
length, lateral processes, which bear the stinging hairs.
These processes are curved and twisted and likened by
some to the disheveled hair of a hag, for which it is aptly
named. It is found on various forest trees and ornamental shrubs, but is not as common as the other stinging
caterpillar species.
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The four major "stinging'' caterpillars occurring in
Florida are the puss caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar,
Io moth caterpillar and hag caterpillar. Some less
common ones also occur in the state.
These caterpillars do not possess stingers, but have
spines that are connected to poison glands. Some
people experience severe reactions to the poison released by the spines and require medical attention.
Others experience only an itching or burning sensation.
First aid: Place Scotch tape over the affected area
and strip off repeatedly to remove spines. Apply ice
packs to reduce the stinging sensation, and follow with
a paste of baking soda and water. lf the victim has a
history of hay fever, asthma or allergy, or if allergic
reactions develop, contact a physician immediately.
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