Fluffy moth

[oldschoolrocker]

As title says...cool fluffy moth....

[hummingbirdstones]

I generally dislike moths, but that little guy is a cutie!

[victor1941]

What kind of moth is it and where is the geographical location?

[oldschoolrocker]

Mar 10, 2022 19:56:05 GMT -5 victor1941 said:

What kind of moth is it and where is the geographical location?

No idea what kind of moth it is. Was hanging out at work with me in Spring, Texas. Little guy maybe a centimeter long.

[oldschoolrocker]

This one as well. A lot bigger- 2 inches or so. Like the blue accents it has.

[oldschoolrocker]

Mar 10, 2022 19:04:16 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

I generally dislike moths, but that little guy is a cutie!

Moths are definitely annoying and typically don't care for them either but they have some of the craziest looking caterpillars and some really big ones too.

[hummingbirdstones]

Mar 10, 2022 20:08:03 GMT -5 oldschoolrocker said:

Mar 10, 2022 19:04:16 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

I generally dislike moths, but that little guy is a cutie!

Moths are definitely annoying and typically don't care for them either but they have some of the craziest looking caterpillars and some really big ones too.

I know.  They have the most annoying habit of flying in your face.  I will kill them immediately if they do that to me (unless of course they're a Sphinx moth aka Hummingbird Moth).     If they're the plain brown annoying ones, they're goners.  I like that second moth, too.  You have some pretty moths in Spring, TX.

Of course, those disgusting tomato horn worms turn into Hummingbird moths.  Go figure ...

[Pat]

I’ve never liked moths. They give me the creeps.

However, I’ve always liked butterflies. Go figure!

[hummingbirdstones]

Mar 10, 2022 20:50:51 GMT -5 Pat said:

I’ve never liked moths. They give me the creeps.

However, I’ve always liked butterflies. Go figure!

Me too, Pat!  Butterflies are much more polite (and prettier) than most moths.

[opalpyrexia]

Google image search identifies it as a Southern Flannel Moth. Very pretty, as are their children, but don't touch the kids!

"While adult Southern Flannel Moths are striking to behold, the larvae of this species is capable of delivering a sting so painful, some liken the sensation to a sudden amputation. The caterpillars are sometimes called Asp Caterpillars because contact with one feels like a snake bite. Extreme caution must be practiced in areas where these caterpillars may roam. Long, yellow hairs cover the entire body, giving it a soft, pet-able appearance. The resemblance to cat fur donned them the moniker 'Puss Caterpillar'. These stinging hairs carry toxic venom inside them. The older the caterpillar, the more potent its chemical defense is. Merely brushing past the hairs can cause them to break off and inject this venom. The hairs may even embed themselves in skin and need to be removed (using tape or tweezers, not fingers). Pain begins within minutes and increases exponentially, possibly spreading throughout the whole limb or affected area. Typically, redness and swelling develop at the wound. The sting is not lethal, but it causes extreme discomfort. Removing hairs, applying a cold compress, and taking pain medication as well as allergy medication are common courses of treatment. Medical attention can help quickly relieve pain in children, who are especially sensitive and most likely to have contact."

Southern Flannel Moth

[oldschoolrocker]

Mar 10, 2022 22:29:38 GMT -5 opalpyrexia said:

Google image search identifies it as a Southern Flannel Moth. Very pretty, as are their children, but don't touch the kids!

"While adult Southern Flannel Moths are striking to behold, the larvae of this species is capable of delivering a sting so painful, some liken the sensation to a sudden amputation. The caterpillars are sometimes called Asp Caterpillars because contact with one feels like a snake bite. Extreme caution must be practiced in areas where these caterpillars may roam. Long, yellow hairs cover the entire body, giving it a soft, pet-able appearance. The resemblance to cat fur donned them the moniker 'Puss Caterpillar'. These stinging hairs carry toxic venom inside them. The older the caterpillar, the more potent its chemical defense is. Merely brushing past the hairs can cause them to break off and inject this venom. The hairs may even embed themselves in skin and need to be removed (using tape or tweezers, not fingers). Pain begins within minutes and increases exponentially, possibly spreading throughout the whole limb or affected area. Typically, redness and swelling develop at the wound. The sting is not lethal, but it causes extreme discomfort. Removing hairs, applying a cold compress, and taking pain medication as well as allergy medication are common courses of treatment. Medical attention can help quickly relieve pain in children, who are especially sensitive and most likely to have contact."

Southern Flannel Moth

Thanks for that! I knew about those caterpillars being venomous but didn't know they grew jnto that moth!

[Sabre52]

Fairly common on oaks and rose bushes here locally. Definitely a do not touch species. Caterpillar doesn't look caterpillar like. It looks fuzzy and cute. It is not!

[LazerFlash]

I found this caterpillar back in 2017, dubbing it the "Mother Of All Hornworms". Despite its fearsome appearance, it is completely harmless (unless you're a plant it likes). This Hickory Horned Devil ends life as a Regal Moth.

[hummingbirdstones]

Whoa!  That is one gnarly looking caterpickle!

[gemfeller]

When I lived in S.W. Idaho I grew lots of different tomato varieties. The hornworms loved the plants as much as I did the fruit. On cool, quiet evenings I'd go hornworm-hunting by just sitting on a stool among the plants and listening. My sense hearing was much better in those days and I could actually track the pretty little predators down by the "crunch, crunch" sounds they made as they devoured their dinners.

[liveoak]

Here's a photo I took on our deck a couple of years ago, it's a Luna Moth.

Can't hate him - too beautiful.

[hummingbirdstones]

Mar 15, 2022 6:37:30 GMT -5 liveoak said:

Here's a photo I took on our deck a couple of years ago, it's a Luna Moth.

Can't hate him - too beautiful.

Agreed.  Luna Moths are beautiful and there are a few others.  The really big moths are pretty and not as annoying.  Just like the Giant Leopard Moth oldschoolrocker posted.  They usually don't fly in your face.  

[liveoak]

My husband just keeps going on about "Mothra" and the little fairy priestesses singing to her 

Mothra's Complete Origin Explained

[oldschoolrocker]

Found another fuzzy moth at work today. Large one and is a Polyphemus moth. Interestingly the adult moths have reduced mouths and don't eat. They live about a week.

[oldschoolrocker]

Think she doesn't want to die alone so we're hanging out together today