Master Gardenersm Column for the Week of September 26, 2005
Charlie Spencer
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardenersm Volunteer
To date, we have not received reports of stinging caterpillars, but we want to remind you of these insects as we head into the fall. Some of the stinging caterpillars are called slug caterpillars because their prolegs lack the tiny hooks that most other caterpillars have, and the prolegs are so short that some of the slug caterpillars resemble slugs. Several species of slug caterpillars have stinging hairs (saddleback caterpillars, hag moth caterpillars, and stinging rose caterpillars) that can inflict a quite painful sensation. Some people are very sensitive to exposure and may require professional medical treatment.
Slug caterpillars overwinter in tough silk cocoons. Moths emerge the following spring and summer and lay flat eggs on leaves of various trees and shrubs.
Puss caterpillars are one of the stinging caterpillars in the family of flannel moths. They produce a very painful sting when brushed (brushing against the caterpillar breaks tiny hollow spines which are filled with an urticating fluid which produces the painful stinging sensation which may last several hours). Swelling associated with the sting may be evident for several days. Puss caterpillars feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs, especially oak, elm, hackberry, maple, and sycamore trees. The moths are yellow-brown in color and have fluffy, wavy, white hairs. The young larvae sometimes feed in groups on the surface of the leaf. Older larvae devour the entire leaf. The caterpillars finally spin a dense cocoon in which it spends the winter.
Puss caterpillars are usually not abundant enough to be noticed, although rare outbreaks may be widespread and may cause noticeable defoliation. Two generations probably occur each year, and the winter is spent in the cocoon spun some place on the host tree. Sevin or one of the Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) pesticides should give adequate control, although B.t. is not very effective on older caterpillars. Usually only a few are found and chemical control is not needed. Crush the insects with a stick or rock, if desired. You can also leave it alone. For more information, see the Extension publication Stinging and Venomous Caterpillars from the University of Florida
For photos of some of the caterpillars mentioned, check out the Integrated Pest Management on the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Web site:
Saddleback Caterpillar: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/05PestNews/05News22/saddle3.jpg
Stinging Rose Caterpillar: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/05PestNews/05News22/parasa1.jpg
Puss Caterpillar: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/05PestNews/05News22/pusscat2.jpg
Information provided by Stephen Bambara and Christine Casey, Extension Entomologists at North Carolina State University.
Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this article as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, or the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener
Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a
self-addressed
stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this
column.
For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
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Charlie Spencer,
Brunswick County Extension Master GardenersmVolunteer
URL Address: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/
Date Created 9/23/2005
