It was a warm, sunny afternoon when Leslie Howe decided to take her baby and two other children to Gwinnett County Park for some fresh air. The park was alive with laughter, birdsong, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. As the kids played, they noticed something unusual on a nearby bench—a small, fuzzy creature that at first glance looked harmless, almost like a toy.
Leslie’s instincts as a parent immediately kicked in. Something didn’t feel right. She quickly told the children to step back, a decision that may have prevented a painful encounter.
The “cute” creature was actually a puss caterpillar—Megalopyge opercularis—the most venomous caterpillar in the United States. Beneath its soft, furry exterior are venomous spines. A single touch can cause severe symptoms, including intense, throbbing pain that can last for hours, swelling, nausea, dizziness, and excessive sweating. In extreme cases, the pain can radiate through the body, making movement difficult.
Puss caterpillars are most common in the southeastern U.S., from Florida to North Carolina. They are often found in public parks, playgrounds, backyards, and picnic areas, and can sometimes drop from tree branches onto unsuspecting passersby.
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