Weird venomous caterpillars that look like walking toupées are invading Virginia

This pus caterpillar looks like a harmless little toupee but it's way more dangerous than that.
This pus caterpillar looks like a harmless little toupee but it's way more dangerous than that. (Image credit: Virginia Department of Forestry)

A bizarre little insect that looks like a walking toupée and squirts venomous pus from knifelike spines is terrorizing Virginia this year, according to the state's Department of Forestry (VDoF).

The venomous pus caterpillar is the larval form of the southern flannel moth (Megalopyge opercularis), and if you see one you should stay away from it. Its "hairs" are actually spines that make it among the most venomous caterpillars in the United States. A woman in New Kent County described the sensation of a "scorching hot knife passing through the outside of my calf" when she brushed against one on the door of her car, according to The Daily Progress

Pus caterpillars have appeared in Virginia before, according to the VDoF. And they've been found as far north as New Jersey. But they're much more common in Florida and at greatest abundance in west-central Texas, according to the University of Florida. Eric Day, manager of Virginia Tech's Insect Identification Lab, told The Daily Progress that this appears to be "an outbreak year."

Related: Meet the colorful nocturnal moths of 'Mariposas nocturnas' (photos)

Climate change has made weather warmer in Virginia, as it has across much of the country.

"With changes in our climate, we're seeing some insects change their population," Theresa Dellinger, another researcher at the same lab, told CNN. "But it's too soon to tell. Caterpillars, moths and butterflies all have cyclical periods, it's all about the right time, and the right conditions." 

CNN reported that the caterpillar's venom is similar enough to bee stings that people who have bad allergic reactions to bees will likely have bad reactions to the pus caterpillar as well. 

Virginia Tech published a document on what to do if "stung" by a poisonous caterpillar. Key steps: Wash the area to get rid of any hairs or harmful substances left over. Place tape over the area then rip it off to pull out hairs embedded in the skin. (Do this a few times, but use a fresh piece of tape each time.) Ice packs and steroid creams will reduce swelling and make the sting less painful. And anyone who's had a bad reaction to insects in the past or who was stung near the eyes should contact a doctor immediately.

CNN reported that for now the plan is to let the caterpillars' natural predators shrink their population in the state, but if they continue to spread unchecked the state might begin an eradication program.

Originally published on Live Science.

Rafi Letzter
Staff Writer
Rafi joined Live Science in 2017. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of journalism. You can find his past science reporting at Inverse, Business Insider and Popular Science, and his past photojournalism on the Flash90 wire service and in the pages of The Courier Post of southern New Jersey.
  • Cris Waller
    The name of these caterpillars is puss caterpillars, not pus. And they don't secrete pus, they secrete venom.
    Reply
  • Hunchback
    Trump lovin' it! Save $70,000 every year in hair styling expenses....
    Reply
  • Sproly
    little misleading I'm afraid. Puss/asp caterpillars do not have venomous hair so to speak. That hair actually obscures venomous spines located on the caterpillars back. You can actually rub the tufts of hair with no consequence so long as you do not apply any pressure at all onto the caterpillar or you would be stung at that point. Notice in the articles example case that it cited a woman who brushed up against the caterpillar with her leg. I imagine that constituted more than just a light touch. Years ago when I didn't even know what these were I did in fact do this with one I found on my porch. Thought I found the cutest bug there ever was and went to pet it. Since it was a bug I was careful not to hurt it and kept an extremely light touch. I only found out later that what I was doing was rather stupid but I can say I did not receive a shot of venom for it since I never pressed on it. Not saying you should go out and try it yourself though! Just that they aren't oozing painful venom from their "fur".
    Reply
  • volatilegx
    I was stung by one of these. As I mowed my lawn, one landed on my upper arm. Without looking, I brushed it off with my left hand, wiping it down my arm. It was horrible. It produced extremely severe pain, shaking, nausea, and dizziness. The pain was worst in my arm and hand, but radiated throughout my whole body. The symptoms lasted for quite a while.
    Reply
  • Nehmo
    admin said:
    Pus caterpillars have among the most venomous stings of any animal in the United States. And they're having a boom year in Virginia.

    Weird venomous caterpillars that look like walking toupées are invading Virginia : Read more
    It's a well-studied insect.
    http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/moths/puss.htm
    Reply