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Tussock moth caterpillars return to Florida
Florida officials are warning about the return of the white-marked tussock moth caterpillar. The potentially harmful caterpillar has been dropping from trees and showing up in yards and playgrounds.
Have you noticed a lot more caterpillars lately? Some falling from trees, crawling on the ground, along windows, or perhaps squished, the unfortunate fate of being run over?
A Florida woman recently walked out to her car and found dozens of these tiny, green and fuzzy caterpillars slowly inching their way across her tires, and along the tread. What kind of caterpillars are they? Why are we seeing so many? And are they harmless, poisonous, or venomous?
Here's what we know.
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MUST SEE VIDEO: Dozens of fuzzy, furry caterpillars overtake woman's vehicle
A Florida woman walked out to her car and noticed dozens – perhaps hundreds – of fuzzy green caterpillars were squirming all over her tires.
What type of caterpillars are they?
According to the University of Florida entomologists, people who study insects, these are white-marked tussock moth caterpillars. They're popular in central and north-central Florida.
There are three types of the species:
- fir tussock moth
- white-marked tussock moth
- definite tussock moth
The fir tussock moth and the white-marked tussock moth are the most common, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Where do they live?
They primarily like to live in Oak trees, but if the wind blows them around, they may find themselves attached to small trees and shrubs. They do often fall from the trees in search of a spot to hopefully make their cocoon to eventually become a moth.
How long do they live?
The caterpillars typically hatch in early March and grow from a larvae to a caterpillar in four to six weeks, and then into a month over the next two months. They stay a pupal for two weeks, usually until mid-April. Then they'll form a cocoon and emerge as a month.
Are they dangerous? No, but they may cause a rash
According to experts, no. But, if you touch them or make contact with their fur, you may develop a rash, part of their protective mechanisms.
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Tussock moth caterpillars return to Florida
Florida officials are warning about the return of the white-marked tussock moth caterpillar. The potentially harmful caterpillar has been dropping from trees and showing up in yards and playgrounds.
What to do if you get stung by a tussock moth caterpillar
Health experts advise the following:
- Put tape over the area of the skin and pull it up to remove any hairs or prickly spines in the skin.
- Wash the area with soap and water
- Apply an ice pack to ease stinging, baking soda, and water to reduce itching.
How to keep the caterpillars at bay?
- Apply an insecticide to the tree foliage before the caterpillars mature and begin moving around
- Use a broom to sweep the caterpillars into soap water before they build their cocoons.
- Remove cocoons from the walls, benches, or other places where they're at.