What to do if you get stung by an asp?

Treatment. Treatment for local reactions includes washing the skin with soap and water (using noncontact drying such as a hair dryer), local cooling measures such as an ice pack, or topical isopropyl alcohol, and putting tape on the site and pulling it off to remove embedded hairs.

In this regard, how bad is an ASP sting?

Their hairs are venomous and cause severe pain. It's not common to get stung, but if you've ever known a victim of the sting, you know it's a horrendous sensation.

Similarly, what happens if you touch an ASP? Through no fault of your own, simply by being in an area that the Texas Asp is found in, you can accidentally come into contact with this caterpillar. When it rubs your skin, its venomous spines stick into the dermal tissue, resulting in a severe rash or burning sensation.

Similarly, how long does the pain from an ASP sting last?

Other symptoms may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, intense abdominal distress, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, and sometimes shock or respiratory stress. Erythematous spots or hemorrhagic papules may appear at the site of the sting and last for 1-5 days.

How poisonous is an ASP?

According to Plutarch, Cleopatra tested various deadly poisons on condemned people and concluded that the bite of the asp (from aspis—Egyptian cobra, not European asp) was the least terrible way to die; the venom brought sleepiness and heaviness without spasms of pain.

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Can you die from an ASP sting?

The caterpillars are venomous and can cause death in some cases. It may look cute and fuzzy, but Houstonians are being warned to watch out for an insect that can potentially cause severe pain. Asp caterpillars, also known as puss caterpillars, are being spotted more frequently around Houston.

Is an ASP deadly?

Its common names include asp, asp viper, European asp, and aspic viper, among others. Bites from this species can be more severe than from the European adder, V. berus; not only can they be very painful, but also about 4% of all untreated bites are fatal.

What does an asp caterpillar look like?

The Texas asp is teardrop-shaped, and, with their long, silky hairs, resemble a tuft of cotton or fur. Their color varies from yellow or gray to reddish-brown, or a mixture of colors.

How long does a caterpillar sting last?

There may also be a burning or stinging sensation. See the photo below for an example of what symptoms of a rash caused by a caterpillar may look like on a human arm. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. These symptoms can appear within minutes and last for one or more days.

How do you get rid of ASP?

At the first sign of flannel moths or asp caterpillars spray all shrubs and trees in the area with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) or spinosad. Either one of these products will get rid of this pest. Until next time, let's try to garden with nature, not against it, and maybe all our weeds will become wildflowers.

What does an ASP do?

An application service provider (ASP) is a business providing computer-based services to customers over a network; such as access to a particular software application (such as customer relationship management) using a standard protocol (such as HTTP).

What do ASP caterpillars eat?

Caterpillars feed on leaves of many shrubs and bushes, such as hollies. Adults moths can be collected at lights. Pest Status: The caterpillar is called an “asp” by Texans, although there are other caterpillars that also produce a painful skin rash from contact with venom containing spines.

What is an asp bite?

Asp, anglicized form of aspis, name used in classical antiquity for a venomous snake, probably the Egyptian cobra, Naja haje. It was the symbol of royalty in Egypt, and its bite was used for the execution of favoured criminals in Greco-Roman times. Cleopatra is said to have killed herself with an asp (see also viper).

Are flannel moths poisonous?

The southern flannel moth will give you a painful sting. Asp Caterpillars (Megalopyge opercularis) have a variety of nicknames: southern flannel moth, puss caterpillar, and the tree asp. They are considered the most highly venomous caterpillars in North America.

What does a caterpillar look like?

Caterpillars are insects, just like their parent butterflies or moths. They have six proper legs, like all insects, but also up to five pairs of stumpy prolegs with little hooks that help them to hang onto things, and to move in a wave-like motion.

Are ASPS poisonous to dogs?

Caterpillars are especially dangerous to dogs. Other caterpillars like the Slug, Asp and Gypsy moth varieties appear hairy or spiny and can also be toxic to pets, causing intestinal problems and painful internal reactions.

Are there poisonous caterpillars in California?

The puss caterpillar, or woolly slug, is the most poisonous caterpillar in the United States. Its poison is hidden in hollow spines among its hairs.

Are there poisonous caterpillars in Texas?

The best known flannel moth and stinging caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth, or puss moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis. In Texas these caterpillars are commonly known as “asps”. They are of minor importance as enemies of shade trees, but they can cause a severe sting.

Are caterpillars harmful?

While most caterpillars are harmless, even though some may look menacing (such as the hickory horned devil), there are a few that can cause mild to moderate stings. Just remember, while the caterpillars are dangerous, adult moths are not and do not have stinging hairs/spines.

Are there poisonous caterpillars in Kansas?

The puss caterpillar, or woolly slug, is the most poisonous caterpillar in the United States. Its poison is hidden in hollow spines among its hairs. This hairy caterpillar is found in the southern states, ranging west through most of Texas and north to Maryland and Missouri.

Where do wooly worms come from?

The caterpillar Curran studied, the banded woolly bear, is the larval form of Pyrrharctia isabella, the Isabella tiger moth. This medium-size moth, with yellowish-orange and cream-colored wings spotted with black, is common from northern Mexico throughout the United States and across the southern third of Canada.

What does an ASP Sting feel like?

Their color varies from yellow or gray to reddish brown. When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, venomous hairs become embedded. Envenomation causes intense throbbing pain, burning, and a rash with erythematous spots.