Skin-irritating tussock moth caterpillars return to Florida
By Allison Petro
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ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — Tussock moth caterpillars are emerging in large numbers, and their hairs can cause skin irritation and rashes.
Experts said the insects are looking for a good place to form cocoons and are often drawn to oak trees.
While they don’t bite or sting, the hairs on their bodies can irritate the skin and even cause a rash.
“Those hairs actually kind of can poke into the skin and then break off,” explained FGCU entomologist Joyce Fassbender. “So they’re called urticating hairs, but that’s basically what they do. It’s a defense mechanism. It’s compared usually to fiberglass. So if you brush up against fiberglass, little tiny pieces of glass will break off and get under your skin. And that’s basically what’s happening with these hairs.”
Kids playing outside may encounter the caterpillars this time of year around trees and outdoor playground equipment.
Fassbender said to avoid spraying your tree if they are all over it.
“If you spray your oak tree, you’re actually spraying and killing all the food to feed our birds,” Fassbender said.
You can take some tape and stick it to the area that touched the caterpillar, or you can run it under cold water.
The adhesive on the tape will pull tiny hairs out of your skin.
If irritation worsens, be sure to contact your doctor.
In a few weeks, the caterpillars will cocoon, but you still need to be aware that the hairs will still be present.
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