Beware! Venomous Menacing Fuzzy-Looking Insect Invades Texas

If you are going to be traveling through parts of Central Texas this summer and you are outdoors be aware there is a menacing fuzzy-looking insect that could wreak havoc on your summertime fun.

Puss Caterpillar

One of the most venomous Asp caterpillars is known as the Puss Caterpillar (megalopyge opercularis) according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

If you spot one, do not pick it up or touch it because those fuzzy little hairs could be lethal, those tiny hairs are poisonous spines that inject venom into whoever comes in contact with it.

This hairy critter reminds me of Cousin Itt from the Addam's Family TV show or better yet a tribble from Star Trek.

Toxic Pain

At first, glance this bu may look cute but don't be fooled, the puss caterpillar is far from it. In fact, if it doesn't kill you, you are going to wish you were dead because the pain level is almost intolerable to bear, not to mention it will cause redness, fever, rashes, nausea, and swelling almost immediately, according to a report with 25 News KXXV.

The National Capital Poison Center advises any individual who gets stung by the puss caterpillar to put tape over the affected area and then pull it off to help remove the injected spine spores, do this several times to make sure you remove them all.

The puss caterpillar is usually found on oak, pecan, elm, or hackberry trees and really active this time of the year throughout Central Texas. But it's not out of the ordinary that these caterpillars could be found in other parts of Texas as well.