You might not hear
this often.
We love our Power
Company, as power companies go.
Yes, they are a
power company and yes they 'Hate' Alternative Energy!
Well, as with all
power companies,
they are OK with it,
as long as they can
control it,
(alternative
energy).
Still as power
companies go,
we give them five
stars,
because they truly
care about their customers.
May 01, 2016
Category: Nature’s
Reflections, SECO News, Uncategorized
Curious?
Stop!
Severe pain follows
just a touch
Beware of beautiful
caterpillars packing a powerful and painful sting.
Four of Florida’s
seven stinging caterpillars are common to this area.
These caterpillars
do not have stingers, but irritating hairs or bristled spines connected to
poison glands that produce the stinging sensation, swelling and severe pain.
Reactions
experienced are sometimes so severe that people often seek medical attention
thinking they may be having a heart attack or life threatening event.
The Io moth
caterpillar (Automeris io), photo above, is a light green caterpillar with
yellow and red stripes.
It’s about two
inches long.
The nettling spines
are usually yellow with black tips.
They are often seen
in groups raising the onlookers curiosity as to what it may be.
The Puss caterpillar
(Megalopyge opercularis), inset photo gets its name from its resemblance to a
pussycat.
At just one inch in
length, it’s covered with light brown hairs.
When touched, these
hairs, attached to poison glands, and break off in the skin causing severe
pain.
It is commonly found
in oaks and citrus trees, but may feed on a variety of broadleaf trees and
shrubs.
The Saddleback
caterpillar (Sabine stimulea) is brown and green with a brown oval on its back
that looks like a saddle on a green horse blanket.
It is also about an
inch long with a stout body. Stinging spines and hairs that inflict pain to the
unwary.
The Hag caterpillar
(Phobetron pithecium), is light-to dark-brown also with stinging hairs. Three
less common stinging caterpillars in Florida
are the
Buck moth
caterpillar (Hemileuca maia),
the
Spiny oak-slug
caterpillar, (Euclea delphinii),
and the
Flannel moth
caterpillar, (Norape ovina).
If stung, remain as
calm and quiet as possible.
Notify a companion
in case assistance becomes necessary.
According to the
Poison Control Center,
apply adhesive tape
over the affected area and pull off to remove the spines from the skin.
Ice packs, followed
by a paste of baking soda
and water may help
reduce the stinging, or burning.
If you suspect a
serious reaction, then it is advisable to seek medical assistance right away.
Column & photo
by: Sandi Staton
