Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993 TAG: 9310060173
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There are, however, six rather common species in Virginia with poisonous hairs or spines.
These hairs are hollow and connected to underlying poison glands. Contact with them causes a burning sensation and inflammation that can be as painful as a bee sting.
The irritation can last for a day or two and may be accompanied by nausea during the first few hours.
Specific symptoms vary depending on the species of caterpillar and the susceptibility of the victim, but usually the site of contact reddens and swells much like a bee sting, or the affected area may appear as a small red rash.
A person "stung" by a poisonous caterpillar should immediately wash the affected area to remove any insect hairs and poison that remain.
An ice-pack will help reduce swelling, and creams and lotions containing steroids will lessen the discomfort and promote healing.
People with persistent symptoms lasting after the sting and people known to be sensitive to insect stings should consult a physician.
Most stinging caterpillars are general feeders and are commonly found on shade trees and ornamental shrubs.
The six species common in Virginia are the saddle-back caterpillar, puss caterpillar, hagmoth, hackberry leaf slug, io moth and buck moth.
The saddle-back caterpillar is about an inch long and has poisonous spines on four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller ones that stick out from the sides of the body. The "saddle" consists of an oval purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back.
Saddle-back caterpillars feed on the leaves of basswood, chestnut, cherry, plum, oak and other trees and shrubs.
The puss caterpillar also is about an inch long and completely covered with long, silken brownish hairs. Hidden among the hairs are short, poisonous spines.
Puss caterpillars are commonly found on hackberry, elm, plum, sycamore, oak and rose.
Hagmoth larvae are extremely bizarre in appearance. They are covered with short, dark hairs and have nine pairs of fleshy appendages, some of which are long and twisted.
Rose, sassafras, alder and spirea are among their favorite hosts.
The hackberry leaf slug grows to about an inch long and has six small tufts of hair on each segment. Its body is off-white with large purple patch on the back.
Hackberry leaves are its preferred food.
A mature io moth caterpillar may be up to 1 1/2 inches long. They are a beautiful, pale-green color with white and red stripes on the sides. Short spines radiate from numerous tubercles on the back.
These larvae feed on alder, ash, birch, cherry, elm, locust, oak, sassafras and other deciduous trees and herbaceous plants. They are not uncommon in cornfields.
The buck moth caterpillar is unusual in this group because it is found in early summer, principally in June.
It is often confused with spiny elm caterpillars and gypsy moth caterpillars, which also are active at that time.
Buck moth caterpillars grow up to 2 inches long. The head, prolegs and plate are reddish, but the rest of the body is black with small, white spots.
Long-branched spines and tufts of shorter spines cover the body.
Buck moth caterpillars are found most commonly on oak - but willow, hazelnut, cherry, and rose also are suitable host plants.
Stinging caterpillars rarely occur in sufficient numbers to be considered plant pests, but people who work with ornamental plants should learn to recognize them and avoid touching them.
If control is desired, check the Virginia Pest Management Guide or your local extension agent for insecticides labeled to control these caterpillars.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions call the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.
by CNB