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Southern Flannel Moth

uncommon

Southern Flannel Moth

Megalopyge opercularis

Habitat
Woodlands & gardens of the southern US and Mexico
Wingspan
30 mm
Order
Lepidoptera · Megalopygidae

Weird but real

Its fuzzy, harmless-looking adult hides a secret: the larva is the puss caterpillar, the most-reported venomous caterpillar sting in the US.

Why it's cool

Looks like a tiny flying toupee, yet packs the wickedest sting in the room — peak 'cute but do NOT touch' energy.

Photographs

Southern Flannel Moth caterpillar - Megalopyge opercularis, Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, Aden, Virginia
Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0 · source
Megalopyge opercularis
Iose · Public domain · source