第 1038 号，共 1 402 张

Puss caterpillar

Megalopyge opercularis

名字的由来： The name "puss" probably comes from the caterpillar's soft, long fur, which makes it look like a tiny Persian cat.1

只是会疼不要触摸会疼，但不会对你造成严重伤害。

毛毛虫和虫子

蜇毛

对人的危险: 很疼可能真的很疼，但几乎从不严重。

The puss caterpillar is a furry caterpillar that grows into a moth. It lives in the southern and eastern United States, Mexico and parts of Central and South America. Its hairs contain venomous spines that can cause a very painful skin reaction, so it is important to recognise it and leave it alone.1

生活在

Eastern United States (southeastern Virginia to Florida), southern United States, Mexico, parts of Central and South America1

北美洲

首页

It is found on oak, elm and wild plum trees, and on garden plants such as roses and ivy. People can meet it in these gardens and trees.1

长度

2.5 cm (1 in)1

最高速度

约 0.03 公里/小时（0.02 英里/小时）

在陆地上, 粗略估计

Puss caterpillar的照片 — Puss caterpillar。照片：Patrick Coin (Patrick Coin)。 CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons.

怎样认出它

The larva is about one inch (2.5 cm) long and covered in long, hair-like fur.1
Its fur can be grey-white, golden brown or dark charcoal grey.1
It often has a bright orange streak running along its body.1
In the early stage, the body tapers to a tail that extends well beyond the body.1
The adult moth has long fur in colours from dull orange to lemon yellow, with hairy legs and fuzzy black feet.1

常被误认为： Its relative M. crispata is mentioned as different because its tail does not extend well beyond the body, unlike the puss caterpillar's. The middle stage of the puss caterpillar has no distinct tail at all.1

毒液之力

蜇毛

细小的毛或刚毛会断在皮肤里并刺痛。

它的毒液会造成什么？

The caterpillar's fur contains venomous spines. Contact causes an immediate skin reaction with a grid-like rash and severe radiating pain. Victims often describe the pain as like a broken bone, blunt-force trauma or white hot. The pain can spread up a limb and cause burning, swelling, nausea, headache, stomach pain, rashes, blisters, and sometimes chest pain, numbness or difficulty breathing.1

它对人有多危险？

对人的危险: 很疼可能真的很疼，但几乎从不严重。

The caterpillar is regarded as a dangerous insect because of its venomous spines. Reactions are sometimes limited to the sting site but are often very severe. The sting causes a condition called urticarial dermatitis or erucism, and M. opercularis is the most commonly reported source of this in the United States.1

如果你碰到它的毛

The venom is best treated within hours of first contact. Any spines still in the skin should be removed with cellophane tape. Remedies reported to have varying degrees of success include ice packs, oral antihistamine, baking soda, hydrocortisone cream, juice from comfrey stems and calamine lotion.1
被毛毛虫的蜇毛扎到：用胶带把毛粘掉，再清洗皮肤。不要揉。
被咬：清洗并冷敷。如果感到不适或容易出血，就去看医生。

一定先拨打你的急救电话（112、000、911）。这里是一般急救指导，不是医疗建议。急救基础

注意安全

永远不要摸、抓或逗弄野生动物，即使是很小的，即使它看起来在睡觉或已经死了。
给它留出空间。如果遇到它，保持冷静，慢慢后退，让它走自己的路。
如果你碰到了它的毛：保持冷静，保持不动，拨打你的急救电话（112、000、911）或尽快去医院。记住它长什么样，拍张照片会有帮助。

它不是冲着你来的。它用毒液捕猎或保护自己，而且它更愿意躲起来。更多安全知识

在世界哪里？

非洲亚洲欧洲北美洲南美洲澳大利亚和大洋洲

它有多大？

它有多长？

差不多和一个回形针一样长比花园蜗牛还慢

Puss caterpillar和你比起来有多大？

只是在你的浏览器里算一算。什么都不会被保存或发送到任何地方。

它有多快？

Puss caterpillar 约 0.03 公里/小时 (0.02 mph)

一只花园蜗牛 约 0.05 公里/小时 (0.03 mph)

一只陆龟 约 0.3 公里/小时 (0.19 mph)

值得了解

事实

Victims often say the pain feels like a broken bone, or even white hot.1

The name "puss" probably comes from the caterpillar's fur, which looks like a tiny Persian cat.1

Its spines can cause a condition called urticarial dermatitis, also known as erucism.1

Early-stage larvae can have very curly fur that looks cottony and puffed up.1

Late larvae can spend the whole winter inside their cocoon before emerging in spring.1

给毒液专家

学名: Megalopyge opercularis
类别: 毛毛虫和虫子
家人: Megalopygidae2
排序: Lepidoptera
大洲: 北美洲
宝宝: The caterpillar has two broods a year, one in summer and one in autumn. Late larvae may stay in their cocoon all winter and emerge as adults in late spring.1
对人的危险: 2 / 5: 很疼3