On a lovely day, Leslie Howe went to Gwinnett County Park with her infant and two other kids to enjoy the sunshine. They were sitting quietly on a bench when a strange animal, almost invisible under a thin covering of fur, disturbed their solitude. The children were curious and tempted to touch it, thinking it was safe. But Leslie’s maternal instincts took over, and she held back because she felt uneasy.
This cautious approach paid off when they came upon a “pus worm,” a poisonous caterpillar species that can cause excruciating agony even when touched gently. Particularly in young infants, the bite of this critter may cause nausea and excessive perspiration.
From Florida to North Carolina, reports described the agonizing discomfort that young children who came into contact with this caterpillar—some by accidentally stroking it, while others were hurt when the caterpillars dropped from trees onto their bodies—had to endure.
The takeaway is obvious: keep a safe distance from these caterpillars, especially if kids are present. To preserve the safety of loved ones and shield them from the threats posed by these poisonous insects, widespread awareness is essential.
