Got stung by an asp caterpillar! I didn't know there was such a thing.
I went out to move my sprinkler beside the driveway this morning and while holding it, I noticed a weird fuzzy looking thing stuck on it. After looking at it a few seconds, I thought it might be a caterpillar. I left it there and stuck the sprinkler spikes in the ground, taking care not to touch the caterpillar or smash it. Well, evidently, my hand must have brushed up against the critter before I saw it because soon after I set the sprinkler, my thumb, right at the joint, started stinging.
I couldn't figure out what the problem was, but it was getting worse. I thought something might have bitten me, but I didn't see any creature other than the caterpillar. After making my rounds checking on the livestock, then going out to pick a fruit off of a tree that I thought might be a persimmon (and, yes, it is - had no idea we had a persimmon tree on the property!), and my hand now throbbing, I came in to look up poisonous caterpillars on the net. Sure enough, there is was, the asp or puss moth caterpillar.
It's hurting all the way up my arm now. I guess I should go tell Tom that if I keel over, he should tell the ER that I got stung by an asp caterpillar so they'll know what to do. S
So that everyone else can avoid these creatures, have a look at this link to see what they look like. And don't touch them!
http://neuro.bcm.edu/eagleman/asp/
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3 comments:
OUCH! There is an old GS saying "Hairy is scary"..its meant to teach the girls to stay away from Poison Ivy because the vine is hairy looking..I guess its also true of bugs. Hope you're feeling better soon!
Five hours later and my thumb still hurts, but at least my arm is no longer aching.
well, I looked at the problems it can cause..atleast you aren't throwing up :o)
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