Beadle D, Leckie S. 2012. Hillsborough County (Florida) Health Department. A Richmond, Virginia, resident described. Figure 21. They get to be about 2 cm long and also have clusters of spines that surround the edge of the body. (Inset: photomicrograph of antrose [distally projecting] barbs on urticating setae of the tussocks). Types of Venomous Caterpillars (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Furry Caterpillar Types with An Identification Chart and Pictures, Black and Orange Caterpillars (With Pictures) Identification Guide, Types of Arizona Caterpillars (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Florida Caterpillars (Including Hairy and Fuzzy) with Pictures Identification Guide, types of caterpillars are easy to identify, large green larvae with black and yellow stripes, Types of Yellow Caterpillars (With Pictures), Types of Horned Caterpillars (With Pictures), Types of Striped Caterpillars (With Pictures). Identification of the white admiral caterpillar is by its brownish-olive body with white, uneven blotches on its back and along its sides. The puss caterpillar - one of the most venomous of its kind in the USA - has appeared in Florida, Texas and South Carolina. The itch and welt could last up to a day, but it varies between individuals. Catalogue of the Tachinidae (Diptera) of North America north of Mexico. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. A few species are known to sting, which can cause mild skin irritations, but none contain venom that may be harmful to people. Heppner JB. Polka-Dot was Moth caterpillars have the longest bristle hairs of all caterpillars in Florida. 1978. The four major stinging caterpillars occurring in Florida are the puss caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar, Io moth caterpillar and hag caterpillar. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Florida Museum of Natural History photo by Andrei Sourakov. Further Reading: Moth Life Cycle. Associated Publishers. 17 Poisonous Caterpillars to Watch Out For. This is a defensive characteristic of some caterpillars to scare off predators. The venom has not been adequately characterized. Actually, they are brachypterous (short-winged) but cannot fly. These caterpillars do not possess stingers, but have spines (nettling hairs) that are connected to poison glands. Some people experience severe reaction to the poison released by the spines and . Figure 19. These large stinging caterpillars grow up to 2.5 (6.5 cm) long. Parasitoids: Larvae and pupae are killed by various parasitoids. For example, the long, plump caterpillar is light green when feeding on green foliage. Dropping from host plants in response to predators by a polyphagous caterpillar. Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar (Battus philenor). The genus name Orgyia (Greek for the length of the outstretched arms [Borror 1960]), is based on this pose. Monkey slug caterpillars have stinging hairs that can cause a painful sting if you handle it. Redrawn from Gilmer (1925) by Jane C. Medley, University of Florida. 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). This black and gray caterpillar feeds on passionflower foliage that helps it develop toxic compounds. Orgyia sp. Spines are hollow with a toxin gland at the base. A few common hosts include oak, cherry, hackberry, and willow. It's always a good idea to take a physical sample or photos of the plant to . People apparently vary somewhat in their sensitivity to Orgyia species hairs. Their stings are "considered among the most agonizing of afflictions," according to . Borror DJ. A gulf fritillary caterpillar has distinctive spines poking out from a smooth orange body with a blackish stripe. Mature female fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) pupa. Part II. 2009. Males are difficult to distinguish, but fresh specimens of Orgyia leucostigma and Orgyia definita have a purplish tint that is lacking in Orgyia detrita. He has suggested that levels of parasitism of pupae often approach 50 per cent (Foltz 2004, 2006). The brown and white caterpillar grows up to 1.6 (4 cm) long. Orgyia detrita: Coastal Plain from Long Island to Florida and Gulf States west to Texas (Ferguson 1978, Wagner 2005, Orgyia detrita entry at North American Moth Photographers Group web site). The caterpillar grows up to 2 (5 cm) long. Rash illness outbreaks at daycare facilities associated with the tussock moth caterpillar, April 2004 and April 2005. Here are some mildly poisonous caterpillars that are best to be stayed away from.. American Dagger Moth Acronicta americana. Identify a white-marked tussock caterpillar by a black body with black and white hairy spines, yellow bands along its back, and a bright cluster of red hairs at its head. north of Mexico (OHara 2012). Additionally, you often find it feeding on hickory leaves in Florida. Pictures of four poisonous caterpillars in Florida. Unfortunately, because of their green coloring, tomato hornworms can be difficult to spot under tomato leaves. The cloudless sulphur caterpillar grows 1.6 to 1.8 (4 4.5 cm) in length. Volume 17 of Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas. Figure 23. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 62(1): 13-28. With younger black-wave flannel moth caterpillars, the long wispy hairs hide the venomous short, sharp spines. Hickory horned devil caterpillars can grow up to 5.5 (14 cm) long. Queen Butterfly Caterpillar (Danaus gilippus). WATCH: Grumpy's Field Guide To Dangerous Spiders. The furry puss caterpillar, the larval stage of the southern flannel moth, is one of the most poisonous caterpillars in the US. This butterfly is mainly found in Central and South America. One of the unusual caterpillars youll find in Florida is the cecropia moth caterpillar. To identify poisonous Florida caterpillars, look for a fuzzy body with stinging spines. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The stinging spiny oak slug caterpillar has two orange bands along its back and circular green and white patterns. Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company. As a result, some immature caterpillars may look completely different from mature caterpillars before entering the pupal stage. The pipevine swallowtail caterpillar is a dark-brown, almost black caterpillar with fleshy horns at its head, tail, and sides. Like many hornworm caterpillars, it has an oversized head. The oblong appearance and fuzzy spines make it difficult to identify the head end from its tail end. The polyphemus moth caterpillar grows 3 to 4 (7.6 10 cm) long. + Figures. The unusual caterpillar has a light green and brown body with white blotches. Youll find black swallowtail caterpillars on milkweed and parsley plants. Crystal River, FL 34429 Phone: 352-563-6363 For technical issues, email webadmin@chronicleonline.com. To identify tent worms, look for blackish-brown worm-like caterpillars with blue, black, and yellow lines running lengthwise on their back with an irregular white pattern on each segment. Its easy to identify a monkey slug caterpillar because there is no other insect larva like it. The green and black stripes and orange markings make the voracious larvae easy to spot on azaleas, rhododendrons, and apple trees. Castellanos I, Barbosa P, Caldas A. The saddleback caterpillar is a slug-like caterpillar with large spiked poisonous horns that can give a nasty sting. The zebra longwing caterpillar is a pale gray crawling insect with long black fleshy spikes often found in the southern United States. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. Welts resulting from contact with Orgyia hairs usually appear within minutes and subside by the next day, but itching and erythema commonly continue for another day or two. Cabbage Looper Caterpillar (Trichoplusia ni). Castor beans, rosary beans and rosary peas all cause similar symptoms, according to the Florida Poison Control Center. 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. These small insects are one of the country's most venomous . Milkweed tiger caterpillars grow 1.4 (3.5 cm) long. The tomato hornworm is around 4 (10 cm) in length from its large head to its horned tail. Gardening; Biology Basics. Don't swallow or chew on the beans. The state Department of Forestry is warning residents to be on the lookout for . Figure 28. These make the zebra longwing poisonous and foul-tasting to predators. Additionally spines contain a toxin that can cause rashes of round, red, swelling welts that itch, and even tissue damage. I have quite a few caterpillars on my coontie plants. Figure 25. The flightless females remain on their cocoons and release a sex pheromone to attract males. Giant Leopard Caterpillar (Hypercompe scribonia). The spiny caterpillar has a dark body with lateral blue bands, yellow lines, and white patches. Control of the caterpillars is difficult because by the time they are migrating from the trees, it is too late. Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata). You can often spot forester moth caterpillars feeding on herbaceous plants in Florida. These large green or orange-brown caterpillars grow 3 to 5.5 (7.5 10 cm) long. The characteristic trait of this furry caterpillar is a wide rusty brown band around a black body. At present, females can be identified to species only by association with their respective larvae (or in the case of Florida Orgyia detrita by association with their egg masses). 1960. This horned caterpillar species has a pointed black projection at its tail end resembling a horn. A characteristic feature of the cloudless sulphur caterpillar is that its color changes depending on its food. Fir tussock moth (Orgyia detrita) caterpillar (dorsal view). The caterpillars white-spotted black body is covered in jagged tufts of spines. You can find red admiral caterpillars feeding on stinging nettle leaves. 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. Because they will eat almost anything, including herbs, tree leaves, and grasses, they can be found pretty much anywhere plants are growing. Figure 30. has been confirmed as a host in Florida, but other host plants are also likely (Heppner 2003). Another defensive mechanism is its defensive organ osmeteriuma forked tongue-like structure that appears behind its head when threatened. Photograph by Donald W. Hall, University of Florida. The spines have toxin glands at their base, the toxin is released when the spines make contact with skin. Figure 22. Black Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). From its back this caterpillar has a tail that extends beyond its body. ecology, identification and distribution of Caterpillars -- identification guide -- Discover Life. Figure 27. Dermatologic Therapy 22: 353-366. In 2017, a Florida woman's 5-year-old son accidentally stepped on one as he played outside. These caterpillars feed on a variety of woody plants including oaks, dogwood, and apple. Heppner (2003) listed plants belonging to 116 genera that have been reported as hosts. 134 pp. 2010. In Florida, there are two generations of puss caterpillars a year, one in spring and the other in fall. American dagger Moth Caterpillar (Acronicta americana). In Florida, youll often find the white admiral caterpillar feeding on willow, aspen, cherry, and birch trees.