Gardener’s cautioning concerning ‘charming’ yard pest with ‘uncomfortable’ sting

Aussies are being advised to watch out for vibrantly coloured animals that bring upon an impressive sting “more painful than a bee” regardless of showing up “very cute” in yards. And, one garden enthusiast just recently discovered this out by hand.

The appropriately called electrical caterpillar hurt specialist garden enthusiast Melita Rumley recently while she was often tending to a gold walking cane hand tree in a backyard on Queensland’s Magnetic Island and was entrusted bumps on her skin that were”stingy” And unbelievably, it’s not the very first time she’s come across the bug– in February 2023 she was entrusted tentacle-like marks throughout the rear of her leg that took 3 months to recover.

“I was working in a garden and as I crouched down it was squished behind my knee, I didn’t realise it was there,” she informedYahoo News “The feeling was like an electric zap, I jumped back pretty quickly.

“Don’t take these little crooks for approved!” she said, explaining many in her area have suffered from ” hideous” reactions after making contact with the critters.

< figcaption course=” caption-collapse”>The ‘cute’ caterpillars are brightly coloured and blend in among vegetation. Source: Facebook/Maggie’sGardenGirls

Spikes inflict ‘significant pain’ when stung, expert warns

Electric caterpillars are found on a range of vegetation in Aussie gardens but particularly enjoy munching on lilly pillies or types of palm. They belong to the limacodidae family and are categorised as such for their impressive spikes.

“Many of this team consist of caterpillars with spikes and hairs that are rather vibrantly coloured and can trigger substantial discomfort when hurt,” entomologist Caitlyn Forster from the University of Sydney told Yahoo News. “Research recommends that the varieties of caterpillar sting is extra uncomfortable than a sting and the discomfort likewise lasts a bit much longer.”

The stings inject a venom into the sufferer’s skin and can cause severe itching, stinging or burning sensations that last for days, as well as lesions that last for months. However, it’s only Queenslanders who have to worry about them — they’re found in the north-east of the state.

I’ve been stung by an electric caterpillar — what do I do?

1. Remove the caterpillar hairs from the skin — use some kind of adhesive tape, not your hands

2. Wash the area with soapy water and pat dry

3. Apply a cold press for 10-15 minutes

4. Apply an antihistamine cream or take oral antihistamine tablet

5. Monitor for allergic reactions — seek medical attention if any surface.

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