Out for a walk after a storm, I did not find that any more dangerous trees had fallen. I did, however, come across a fallen tree of the regular variety and something dangerous that seemed to have fallen out of a tree.
A late instar puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), known as a flannel moth as an adult.
It was a caterpillar covered in such a dense coat of hair that it initially looked like a moving scrap of fur.
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While these caterpillars look soft and furry, leading to the name "puss caterpillars", their appearance is deceptive.
The head and part of the body sometimes emerge from under the hair.
The hairs conceal numerous venomous spines capable of delivering an exceptionally painful sting.
The hair-line recedes.
Between encounters with fire ants and an upside-down jellyfish, I've had more than enough painful stings recently. Fortunately, I was able to avoid any direct contact with the puss caterpillar.
It is more recognizable as a caterpillar from underneath.
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