White Flannel Moth (Norape ovina) Caterpillar

At a dense mixed forest edge, near a seasonal stream.

My first time seeing the larval form of this moth! I'm glad I didn't get closer; look at those nasty urticating hairs!

comments (5)

Christine Young

Lion

Very pretty! And, fun fact: the long hair-like setae are basically harmless, although they can (rarely) irritate some people. It's the setal tufts/spines that have the poison. Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  For your reading pleasure:
  https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef003 Posted 5 years ago
2. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  I still worry about allergic reactions (as I'm allergic to so many things) lol! Posted 5 years ago
3. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I never touch hairy cats either, even though the hairs aren't urticating. Woolly bears are the exception, of course <3. Posted 5 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Awesome! Posted 5 years ago

The Norape ovina

''Norape ovina'', the white flannel moth, is a moth of the Megalopygidae family. In the United States, it is found from Washington, D.C. south to Florida, west to Montana and Texas. Its range extends further south through Mexico, Guatemala and Panama to Venezuela, Suriname and Bolivia.

This wingspan is 27–33 mm. Adults are on wing from April to May and from July to October. There are two per year in the north, likely more in south.

The stinging larvae feed.. more

Info 4 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Flown Kimmerling