Poisonous Caterpillar Found in New York
A cute, fuzzy but poisonous caterpillar has been spotted in New York.
Recently, the white hickory tussock moth caterpillar was spotted a number of times in the Albany area. The poisonous caterpillar has also been seen in the Catskills.
There are also reports of the caterpillar appearing in Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties
"It's a very common insect in this region that happens to be having a particularly good year this year," entomologist Dr. Timothy McCabe told CBS 6 Albany.
The furry white hairs on the critter are actually poisonous. When they get stuck in skin, a person may develop a rash, similar to poison ivy. In extreme cases the person will have difficulty breathing and may vomit.
If you are infected by the caterpillar, taking antihistamines, washing the area with soap and water or ammonia, applying calamine lotion or an ice pack should help relieve the symptoms very quickly. If you experience a severe reaction, seek medical attention immediately.
The poisonous hairs can also impact your dog or cat if the caterpillar’s hair comes in contact with the animal’s nose.
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