Humans have developed quick reactions over many thousands of years, and they have also figured out which animals and other creatures to stay away from.
While the majority of animals is absolutely harmless to humans, it is nevertheless advisable to use caution while you are in the outdoors.
Leslie Howe was having a regular day at the park with her kids when she suddenly noticed a strange, fuzzy creature that looked like a ball.
In 2014, Georgian mother Leslie noticed a strange object close to her kids at the neighborhood playground. It had been a typical day out with the kids up until Leslie spotted a peculiar ball-shaped hairy creature.
The mother went with her gut. And it would prove to be a wise choice in the end. ”Feels like a wasp sting, but worse”
Leslie was at a park in Gwinnett County, Georgia, with her baby and two other little kids when she noticed a strange “fur ball.” Even though it was small and looked harmless at first, she felt like she should stay away from it.
This story, which came out a few years ago, is making the rounds again to warn parents across America about the danger.
Leslie wanted to share her experience so that others would be careful and steer clear of the suspicious fur ball, which turned out to be a Megalopyge Opercularis larva, commonly known as the puss caterpillar.
The name comes from how its soft, fuzzy fur resembles that of a cat. Even though it looks cute, this caterpillar can actually sting you with venom. Its poisonous bristles are hidden beneath its furry exterior.
These larvae can be found in most parts of the US and can grow to about 1 inch long. According to NPR, they are munching on leaves in states from New Jersey to Florida and as far west as Texas.
The sting from a puss caterpillar is really painful, so it’s best to avoid touching it at all. If you do, it might stick to you and inject its venom.
It feels like getting stung by a wasp, but even more painful. The hurt hits you right away and then gets worse as the creature digs in, and it can even make your bones ache. How much it hurts depends on where it gets stuck and how many of its spines have pierced your skin. People who have had it stuck on their hands say they felt the pain all the way up to their shoulders, and it can last for as long as twelve hours, according to ethnologist Don Hall in an interview with National Geographic, as reported by Expressen.
Eric Day, who manages the Insect ID Lab at Virginia Tech, definitely felt the sting of the puss caterpillar. He got stung while mowing his lawn in rural Virginia.
“The burning feeling went away in about a day, but the blister and the irritated area stayed visible for several weeks,” he remembered.
If you ever get stung by this caterpillar, you should wash the area with soap and water after using tape to remove the harmful hairs. If it starts to itch, the National Capital Poison Center suggests applying baking soda or hydrocortisone cream. If it gets worse, you should seek medical attention.
Puss caterpillars are rarely deadly, but their sting can lead to anaphylaxis, which is very serious.
Take a look at the unusual and mysterious caterpillar here: