HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The fluffy and cuddly creatures sometimes look like harmless cotton balls, but scientists were asking South Florida residents to be careful.
Puss caterpillars have venomous spikes that look like a Persian cat's hair. They are native to South Florida and live in oaks, elms and citrus trees. They can also be found in roses and ivy.
"The toxicity of the stings increases with increasing size of the larvae ... some individuals react more severely to stings than others," University of Florida scientists said on the entomology website.
When the spines come in contact with the skin, the poison can result in itching rashes, burning blisters, abdominal pain, vomiting and convulsions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts warned. Medical attention is required.