Afraid of Technology | MotD 09.05.19

[DJ aka GDR DJ]

Afraid of Technology 😮

 

 

 

 

[Vindstot]

A Puss Moth 🐛

 

[RedBaird]

It seems that that particular type of "puss moth" is found in Europe and North Africa.  The caterpillar will spray formic acid as a defensive measure.  Do not touch it!

 

The North American Puss Moth caterpillar seems even worse!    Wikipedia says: 

 

"It has numerous common names, including southern flannel moth for its adult form, and puss caterpillar, asp, Italian asp, woolly slug, opossum bug, puss moth, tree asp, or asp caterpillar for its larval form. "

 

(Notice all those "asp" variations, from the venomous asp snake said to be used in Cleopatra's suicide!  )

 

" The inch-long larva is generously coated in long, luxuriant hair-like setae, making it resemble a tiny Persian cat, the characteristic that presumably gave it the name "puss". "

 

"The caterpillar is regarded as a dangerous insect because of its venomous spines. Exposure to the caterpillar's fur-like spines leads to an immediate skin irritation characterized by a "grid-like hemorrhagic papular eruption with severe radiating pain." 

     Victims describe the pain as similar to a broken bone or blunt-force trauma. The reactions are sometimes localized to the affected area, but are often very severe, radiating up a limb and causing burning, swelling, nausea, headache, abdominal distress, rashes, blisters, and sometimes chest pain, numbness, or difficulty breathing.  "

 

DO NOT touch this little bugger!   (This pic is from Kent Island, Maryland, USA.)

 

DO NOT go near the EurAfrican one, either! 

 

 

[Vindstot]

Okey, I no longer want it as pet. Looked cute

[RedBaird]

6 hours ago, Vindstot said:

Okey, I no longer want it as pet. Looked cute

 

You can have the adult form as a pet, but watch out for the Wild-Childs!