Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates ...

Figure 147. Brown puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), North America. Photo:
University of Florida.
Figure 148. Gray puss caterpillar (Megalopyge sp.), North America. Photo: MDChoice.com.
Figure 149. Io moth caterpillar (Automeris io), North America. Clemson University-USDA.
Figure 150. Dirphia panamensis, Central America. Photo: Bernhard Wenczel.
Figure 151. Buck moth caterpillar (Hemileuca maia), North America. Photo: Gerald J.
Lenhard.
Figure 152. Hylesia ebalus, larva, South America. Photo: Bernhard Wenczel.
Figure 153. Hylesia sp., adult, South America. Photo: source unknown.
Figure 154. Leucanella lama, Central & South America. Photo: Bernhard Wenczel.
Figure 155. Lonomia obliqua, Brazil. Photo: Robert Morales.
Figure 156. Mass of Lonomia obliqua, Brazil. Photo: Roberto Morales.
Figure 157. Molippa basina, South America. Photo: Bernhard Wenczel.
Treatment of stings by urticating lepidopterans should include using adhesive tape to strip the
setae from the wound site, and thorough washing with soap and water, to protect the patient and
care provider from further envenomation. Ice packs can be used to minimize swelling, and oral
antihistamines and systemic corticosteroids can be used for serious cases. Analgesics may be
used to manage pain, and baking soda paste is an acceptable home remedy in the absence of
medications. For dangerous systemic symptoms such as bleeding syndrome, emergency medical
care should be provided to the victim.
Beetles