Today we will continue this topic and talk about the most dangerous caterpillars that can be found in Russia.
I immediately hasten to reassure you a little, in our country there are no deadly poisonous caterpillars, such as, for example, Lonomia obliqua, and death from their poison does not threaten us. However, in our homeland there are caterpillars that should be treated with at least caution! After all, their poison-soaked hairs can cause quite a bit of trouble!
The video version of the article can be seen here (the text is continued below):
PINE WALKING SILKWORTH
Pine silkworm (Thaumetopoea pinivora)- earned its name thanks to its love for collective travel, and it also loves pine needles, which it feeds on! In June, the silkworm moves mainly along pine branches and needles, huddling in groups when it gets colder, but towards the end of July - beginning of August it goes on a journey. Lined up with their relatives in long rows, literally marching along the earth, asphalt and other surfaces to get to a suitable, sandy place. After which they pupate by burying themselves in the sand.
Looking at the lifestyle of the traveling pine silkworm, it becomes clear that it can most likely be found among young pines, with less sandy soil. As the caterpillars grow older, they become more and more dangerous, and the caterpillars' outfit also changes. The hairs from the small fluff develop into a lush outfit, which, however, the completely mature caterpillar grinds, as it were, into special depressions in the body. As a result, dust from hairs is formed, causing itching and burning when it comes into contact with the skin and mucous membranes of a person! It’s not like touching here, it’s not recommended to be near such caterpillars!!! An allergic reaction from flying hairs invisible to the eye can manifest differently in different people! Usually, inflammatory processes are observed in the attacked areas of the skin; it becomes covered with red blisters that itch irresistibly! When it comes into contact with the face, the picture is most often accompanied by swelling, and the eyes may become swollen and closed. The inflammatory processes themselves can last for several weeks! If you are unlucky enough to develop an allergic reaction, you should consult a doctor immediately!
Pine silkworm caterpillar
OAK SILKWORTH
Oak silkworm (T. processionea)- a relative of the comrade described above, just as dangerous, somewhat different in appearance and way of life (feeds on oak leaves)!
Oak silkworm caterpillar
Goldtail
Caterpillar Goldentail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea)(gilded or golden silkworm) also has poisonous hairs! Distributed throughout almost all of Europe, including Russia. Loves orchards and parks, where it is most often found! It is dangerous because, if touched, it can cause various inflammatory processes, rashes or scars on the skin. Breathing problems are also possible, and if hairs get into the eyes, conjunctivitis can occur.
Goldentail caterpillar
RED TAIL
Redtail (Calliteara pudibunda) or whatever they call itShy paw, may have a different color of “fur” (lemon, pink, brown, gray), but it always has a constant reddish tail in the back. The caterpillar is not capable of causing any serious damage, however, you should still not touch it with your hands, unless, of course, you want to get an allergic reaction in the form of a rash! Prefers oak forests and is found throughout Eurasia, except the far north.
Redtail caterpillar
© SURVIVE.RU
Post Views: 12,176
Don't let the appearance of these quirky and adorable caterpillars fool you. Many of them are ready to do anything to protect themselves and their food from predators. Their brightness most often indicates toxicity, and the hairs and spines contain a toxic cocktail. Here are some beautiful but dangerous caterpillars that you might want to stay away from.
1. Coquette caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis)
What does a coquette caterpillar look like? Like a miniature furry animal. However, as soon as you touch it, an unpleasant surprise awaits you.
Poisonous spines hidden under its “fur” release poison, causing severe throbbing pain that can radiate to the armpit, five minutes after contact with the caterpillar. Red erymatous spots may appear at the site of contact. Other symptoms include: headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lymph node involvement, and sometimes shock or difficulty breathing.
The pain usually subsides after an hour, and the spots disappear after a few days. However, if a large amount of poison is ingested, symptoms can last up to 5 days.
2. Saddle caterpillar (Sibine stimulea)
The hoary caterpillar attracts attention with its bright colors, and believe me, you better stay away from it. Its fleshy horns are covered with hairs that secrete poison.
Touching them will cause pain similar to a bee sting, swelling, nausea and a rash that will last for several days.
3. Stinging rose caterpillar (Parasa indetermina)
The “stinging rose” caterpillar reaches a length of only 2.5 cm and is distinguished by its bright colors. But besides its yellow and red spots, what attracts the most attention are its spiny tubercles protruding from different sides.
The tips on these tubercles, as one might guess, release poison. If you touch one of them, the ends will break off and you will experience skin irritation.
4. Spiny oak slug caterpillar (Euclea delphinii)
This caterpillar is not as dangerous to humans, although touching it will still cause a rash. This is due to the spiny tubercles located on the back and sides.
As a rule, these caterpillars live on oaks, willows, as well as beech, cherry, maple and other deciduous trees.
5. Caterpillar of the black bear (Tyria jacobaeae)
Some caterpillars become toxic through the plants they eat. And this applies to the caterpillars of the mole bear, which feed on poisonous ragwort.
They eat so much of this plant that in New Zealand, Australia and North America they are used to control the growth of ragwort. This plant is lethal to cattle and horses and poses some health hazard to humans.
If you are susceptible to caterpillar hairs, touching them can cause hives, atopic asthma, kidney failure and cerebral hemorrhage.
6. Caterpillars of the marching silkworm (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Traveling silkworm caterpillars live in groups in large silken nests high on pine trees.
They follow each other from the nest to the pine needles in search of food. And as you may have guessed, contact with them is dangerous. They are covered with thousands of tiny harpoon-shaped hairs, the touch of which causes severe skin irritation.
7. Bag caterpillar (Ochrogaster lunifer)
Just like the caterpillars of the traveling silkworm, these representatives live in groups in a silk bag, emerging at night and following each other in search of food. However, the danger from them is greater.
In South America they pose a health risk. The venom contained in their bristles is a powerful anticoagulant. This means that if you accidentally touch them, you risk bleeding from a small cut or internal bleeding.
8. Saturnia io caterpillar (Automeris io)
This caterpillar is native to Canada and the United States, and although it looks like an adorable little thing with green spiked pom-poms, remember that they are for viewing only.
No matter how tiny their spines may seem, the poison they contain can cause painful itching and even dermatitis.
9. Witch moth caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium)
If you thought the coquette caterpillar looked rather unusual, admire this furry creature. The witch moth caterpillar, also called the slug monkey, is often found in orchards.
People vary in their susceptibility to these caterpillars, and for some they cause unpleasant symptoms, including itching and rashes.
10. Hickory Bear Caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae)
It seems as if these caterpillars are dressed in winter fur coats. Most of the hairs covering their body are fairly harmless, but they do have four long black hairs on the front and back that should be avoided.
Touching them leads to a rash and more serious health problems if the hairs get into the eyes. Plus, they still bite.
11. Lazy clown caterpillar (Lonomia obliqua)
This peacock butterfly caterpillar can safely be called a killer caterpillar. Its thorns are filled with poison, a coagulant - an anti-clotting substance, which can lead to the death of a person.
Light touching of these caterpillars can lead to headache, fever, vomiting and, if untreated, internal bleeding, kidney failure and hemolysis.
Their venom is so powerful that scientists are studying it in hopes of developing a drug that prevents blood clots.
Don't let the appearance of these quirky and adorable caterpillars fool you. Many of them are ready to do anything to protect themselves and their food from predators. Their brightness most often indicates toxicity
Don't let the appearance of these quirky and adorable caterpillars fool you. Many of them are ready to do anything to protect themselves and their food from predators. Their brightness most often indicates toxicity, and the hairs and spines contain a toxic cocktail. Here are some beautiful but dangerous caterpillars that you might want to stay away from.
1. Coquette caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis)
What does a coquette caterpillar look like? like a miniature furry animal. However, as soon as you touch it, an unpleasant surprise awaits you.
Poisonous spines hidden under its “fur” release poison, causing severe throbbing pain that can radiate to the armpit, five minutes after contact with the caterpillar. Red erymatous spots may appear at the site of contact. Other symptoms include: headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lymph node involvement, and sometimes shock or difficulty breathing.
The pain usually subsides after an hour, and the spots disappear after a few days. However, if a large amount of poison is ingested, symptoms can last up to 5 days.
2. Saddle caterpillar (Sibine stimulea)
The hoary caterpillar attracts attention with its bright colors, and believe me, you better stay away from it. Its fleshy horns are covered with hairs that secrete poison.
Touching them will cause pain similar to a bee sting, swelling, nausea and a rash that will last for several days.
3. Stinging rose caterpillar (Parasa indetermina)
The “stinging rose” caterpillar reaches a length of only 2.5 cm and is distinguished by its bright colors. But besides its yellow and red spots, what attracts the most attention are its spiny tubercles protruding from different sides.
The tips on these tubercles, as one might guess, release poison. If you touch one of them, the ends will break off and you will experience skin irritation.
4. Spiny oak slug caterpillar (Euclea delphinii)
This caterpillar is not as dangerous to humans, although touching it will still cause a rash. This is due to the spiny tubercles located on the back and sides.
As a rule, these caterpillars live on oaks, willows, as well as beech, cherry, maple and other deciduous trees.
5. Caterpillar of the black bear (Tyria jacobaeae)
Some caterpillars become toxic through the plants they eat. And this applies to the caterpillars of the mole bear, which feed on poisonous ragwort.
They eat so much of this plant that in New Zealand, Australia and North America they are used to control the growth of ragwort. This plant is lethal to cattle and horses and poses some health hazard to humans.
If you are susceptible to caterpillar hairs, touching them can cause hives, atopic asthma, kidney failure and cerebral hemorrhage.
6. Caterpillars of the marching silkworm (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Traveling silkworm caterpillars live in groups in large silken nests high on pine trees.
They follow each other from the nest to the pine needles in search of food. And as you may have guessed, contact with them is dangerous. They are covered with thousands of tiny harpoon-shaped hairs, the touch of which causes severe skin irritation.
7. Bag caterpillar (Ochrogaster lunifer)
Just like the caterpillars of the traveling silkworm, these representatives live in groups in a silk bag, emerging at night and following each other in search of food. However, the danger from them is greater.
In South America they pose a health risk. The venom contained in their bristles is a powerful anticoagulant. This means that if you accidentally touch them, you risk bleeding from a small cut or internal bleeding.
8. Saturnia io caterpillar (Automeris io)
This caterpillar is native to Canada and the United States, and although it looks like an adorable little thing with green spiked pom-poms, remember that they are for viewing only.
No matter how tiny their spines may seem, the poison they contain can cause painful itching and even dermatitis.
9. Witch moth caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium)
If you thought the coquette caterpillar looked rather unusual, admire this furry creature. The witch moth caterpillar, also called the slug monkey, is often found in orchards.
People vary in their susceptibility to these caterpillars, and for some they cause unpleasant symptoms, including itching and rashes.
10. Hickory Bear Caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae)
It seems as if these caterpillars are dressed in winter fur coats. Most of the hairs covering their body are fairly harmless, but they do have four long black hairs on the front and back that should be avoided.
Touching them leads to a rash and more serious health problems if the hairs get into the eyes. Plus, they still bite.
11. Lazy clown caterpillar (Lonomia obliqua)
This peacock butterfly caterpillar can safely be called a killer caterpillar. Its thorns are filled with poison, a coagulant - an anti-clotting substance, which can lead to the death of a person.
Light touching of these caterpillars can lead to headache, fever, vomiting and, if untreated, internal bleeding, kidney failure and hemolysis.
Their venom is so powerful that scientists are studying it in hopes of developing a drug that prevents blood clots.
12. White cedar moth caterpillar (leptocneria reducta)
This caterpillar already inspires fear with its appearance. The hairs of this tiny crawling "cactus" can cause an allergic itching reaction in some people.
In addition, the caterpillars themselves live in large groups, swarming the tree at the same time, eating every single leaf before moving on.
13. Saturnia Maya caterpillar (Hemileuca maia)
One look at this caterpillar should discourage you from touching it. It is covered with hollow spines attached to a venom sac, and touching it will not only cause itching and burning, but will also lead to nausea.
They live mainly on oaks and willows from spring to mid-summer.
14. Caterpillar (Orgyia leucostigma)
This caterpillar is easy to spot because of its red head, black back, and yellow stripes on its sides. In addition to the fact that this caterpillar stings unpleasantly, it is considered a pest of trees, eating everything woody in its path.
But try to remove it from the power source, and you will be in trouble. published
Mother Nature sometimes creates amazing creatures. These can be animals with cute faces, birds with bright plumage. Looking at them, you definitely want to smile. However, there are also those whose close examination can plunge a person into shock. We are talking about insects. Hairy, horned, with jaws - they resemble alien creatures from science fiction films.
1. Giant spiny stick insect
When danger approaches, the giant spiny stick insect rears up and spreads its front legs militantly. Its height can reach up to 20 centimeters.
2. Caterpillar of the North American Swallowtail
This four-horned creature feeds on a poisonous plant, causing toxins to accumulate in its body. Touching the North American sailfish is strictly prohibited.
3. Painted Face: Megalopygid Butterfly Caterpillar
Caterpillars are very vulnerable creatures. Therefore, when they need to protect themselves, they use mimicry - imitation of an object. At the slightest danger, the caterpillar of the megalopidigus butterfly makes a terrifying “face”. Creepy black spots reminiscent of eyes, a pink “mouth” outlined around the real head - this coloring will scare off any predator.
4. Silkworm Caterpillar Calleta
The bright coloring of this caterpillar scares away almost all potential predators. During her life, she can change her body patterns several times.
5. Devil's Flower Mantis
Title="Devil's Flower Mantis
Idolomantis Diabolica." border="0" vspace="5">!}
Devil's Flower Mantis
Idolomantis Diabolica.
This insect imitates the color of an orchid to lure its prey as close as possible. The praying mantis is able to sit motionless for a very long time, and then in one jump it catches an insect or even a small bird.
6. Shy paw
From a distance, this caterpillar resembles a bright yellow sponge. However, the two rows of jaws that become visible upon closer inspection no longer make her so cute.
7. Caterpillar of the Imperial Tailed Butterfly
The horny shell on the caterpillar's head would be more suitable for a prehistoric dinosaur than for this small creature.
8. Butterfly Atlas
The tips of the wings of this butterfly resemble the heads of snakes. If we consider that the wingspan of the Atlas butterfly reaches 25 centimeters, then the “snake” coloration becomes very believable.
9. Scorpion fly
The body of a scorpion fly resembles the result of some kind of scientific experiment on crossing species. However, not everything is as scary as it seems at first glance. The back of the fly is not the stinger, but the genitals.
10. African spiny mantis
African spiny mantises are cannibals that eat each other. With dimensions of only 38 millimeters, they successfully disguise themselves as flowering plants.
Despite the fact that caterpillars look very repulsive, they still sooner or later turn into butterflies. You can see these beautiful creatures during their migration from Mexico to Canada and back. create a stunning impression of what they see.
Unlike other insects, most butterflies are beautiful even in the larval stage. Caterpillars often have a more beautiful appearance than a butterfly. Most future butterflies are completely harmless to humans, but some of them are dangerous. By a strange coincidence, truly poisonous caterpillars did not appear on the territory of Eurasia, inhabiting Australia and both American continents. But Eurasia is not without caterpillars that are unpleasant to humans.
Types of poisonous caterpillars
Not all of these species are dangerous to humans, since some of them accumulate in their bodies the poison of the plants they feed on. Technically, they are poisonous. Such species pose a real danger only to those who decide to eat them. The bulk of dangerous caterpillars are found in tropical and subtropical zones of the planet.
Lonomia obliqua
Many species of Lonomia have very colorful larvae. The “cub’s” bright appearance didn’t just happen. They are poisonous.
Note!
But in Lonomia, the caterpillar looks more like a stick on which rare moss has grown. With such a nondescript appearance, it is the most poisonous caterpillar on the planet. Its poison is capable of killing a person.
The poison of Lonomia obliqua kills several people a year in South American countries. But it's not all that scary. In fact, lonomia venom enters the human body in small doses. A single touch to the hollow spines of the lonomia will not do much harm. To be fatal, you need to touch the caterpillar from 20 to 100 times, depending on the resistance of the body. Getting such a dose of poison is actually not difficult. It is enough to accidentally touch a cluster of caterpillars on a tree trunk. Due to their protective coloration, these larvae are difficult to notice.
The toxic substance has an anticoagulant effect and can accumulate in the body. When a critical dose of poison is reached, a person begins to experience internal bleeding, which can lead to death. Intracranial hemorrhage is especially dangerous.
The insect lives on the American continents and has no Russian name. The larva of this butterfly is sometimes called the Coquette. She looks like a lump of coarse fur with a tail. To protect itself from enemies, this caterpillar has poisonous spines hidden in hard bristles.
When touched, the spines pierce the skin and break, releasing the poison. In the damaged area, a strong “tugging” pain appears, spreading throughout the entire limb. Red spots appear where the poison penetrates the tissue. In case of severe poisoning or individual intolerance, the following may occur:
- vomit;
- nausea;
- headache;
- damage to the lymph nodes;
- discomfort in the stomach.
Sometimes anaphylactic shock or difficulty breathing is possible. In normal cases, signs of damage from Megalopid poison disappear after a few days. The pain goes away within an hour. But if you receive a large dose of poison, the pain can last up to 5 days.
Note!
This is one of the most poisonous caterpillars in North America.
Hickory bear (Lophocampa caryae)
The white fluffy caterpillar does not seem dangerous. She has no poison. But the easily detachable bristles are covered with microscopic serrations. If the skin on the hands is rough, this caterpillar cannot cause harm, but for some its bristles cause itching and rash. People suffering from allergies are especially affected by bristles.
You should not rub your eyes after touching this caterpillar. This is the main danger posed by hickory. The jagged bristles will dig into the mucous membrane of the eye and can only be removed from there through surgery.
Witch moth larva. In both forms it is an unattractive insect. Lives in the southern USA. Belongs to the family of slugs that have suction cups instead of paws. When moving, it resembles slugs. On the back it has 6 pairs of outgrowths covered with bristles.
Note!
Previously it was considered poisonous, but experiments showed that these caterpillars have no poison. In people prone to allergies, bristles stuck into the skin cause itching and burning.
Saturnia io (Automeris io)
One of the types. Caterpillars at the first stage are reddish in color. Later they change color to green, becoming like the “catkins” of some trees. The top photo shows Saturnia io at an older age, the bottom photo shows larvae in the first stage of development.
The caterpillars are protected by spikes containing strong poison, which is released at the enemy at the slightest danger. Contact with this poison leads to erucism: toxic dermatitis. Erucism is characterized by the following features:
- blisters;
- severe pain;
- lymphangitis;
- edema;
- skin necrosis.
Sometimes tissue death occurs with erucism.
But all these dangers live in quite exotic countries and not every Russian tourist will encounter them. But there are three species of butterflies whose offspring you can stumble upon when leaving your home in your homeland. The poisonous caterpillars of Russia do not pose a mortal danger, but they can cause a lot of unpleasant impressions.
Russian species
These butterflies are common not only in Russia, but throughout the Eurasian continent. Only the Redtail larva has a characteristic feature. The offspring of Marching silkworms are characterized by nondescript coloring. Their only distinguishing feature is long bristles. Therefore, photos of poisonous caterpillars in Russia along with their descriptions are below.
Redtail (Calliteara pudibunda)
This is the name of the night butterfly - a pest of fruit crops, in which a semblance of red color is present only on the mustache. But this name was given to this insect because of the larvae. Caterpillars of the Red-tailed Caterpillar/Bashful-footed Caterpillar can have different colors:
- grey;
- pink;
- dark brown;
- lemon yellow.
But a mandatory sign of a caterpillar of this species is a tuft of long crimson or crimson-red hairs sticking up at the rear end of the larva. The insect is not capable of causing serious harm. Contact with the hairs on the caterpillar's body causes an allergic reaction in a person in the form of a rash. Habitat: Eurasia, except the Far North. Prefers beech and oak forests.
Marching silkworm (Thaumetopoeidae)
There are several species of this family. Silkworms are absent only on the American continents and Australia. There are two species in Russia:
- pine silkworm (Thaumetopoea pinivora), feeding on pine needles;
- The oak silkworm (T. processionea) feeds on oak leaves.
These butterflies received the prefix “walking” because their caterpillars move strictly one after another, guided by the silk thread of the individual in front.
Hiking silkworms are malicious pests that can destroy entire hectares of forests. They received the name “silkworm” for entwining “unlucky” trees with silk thread. Hiking has no relation to sericulture, for which the mulberry silkworm is used.
The larvae of the moth are covered with thick, long bristles. The bristles have microscopic serrations that help them penetrate the body of the “offender.”
Therefore, the poison of the silkworm caterpillar is questionable. The bristles embedded in the skin can only move inside the body. They are very brittle and impossible to remove. As parts of the bristles move inward, they cause itching, scratching, and blistering. This is a normal reaction of the skin to irritants. Those who “caught” the smallest protective needles of the prickly pear cactus into their skin received a similar reaction on the skin.
Russian dangerous caterpillars usually have bristles that are not toxic, but easily break off and reward their offender with a mass of small splinters. It is not recommended to touch any. And you can see how easily these larvae lose their bristles when touched by touching them with a stick.
General safety principle in relation to: never touch those protected by bristles.