Many will agree that butterflies are the most beautiful creatures on the planet. Their larvae - caterpillars - are not inferior to them. Most of them have acquired a variegated color to protect themselves from enemies, and many species produce poison for protection. But not always the most poisonous caterpillars in the world have a bright color. Often they are skillfully disguised as the environment. We go to gardens and forests to get to know the beautiful, but dangerous butterfly larvae.
The most poisonous caterpillars of the planet:
1
Flirty / Megalopyge opercularis
When you see such a creature in wildlife, you will not immediately guess that it is a caterpillar. The larva covered with peculiar hair resembles a furry animal more. This is the larva of a flannel moth found in the southern states of the USA.
But ironing it is not recommended. Under her hairs are poisonous thorns that, when touched, release a toxic substance. The touch is rather painful, and after about five minutes, redness may appear.
This feature is necessary for protection. Attentive nature lovers have noticed that the hairy caterpillar is strikingly similar to the hair of Donald Trump.
2
Icy Caterpillar / Sibine stimulea
The larva of a gray butterfly from the slug family has a rather formidable appearance. On the green body there are brown spots along the edges, and in the middle there is a speck with a white border resembling a saddle in shape.
They grow during the development period up to 3 cm. At both ends of the body are two pairs of horns covered with hairs. At the ends of the hairs are glands that produce a toxic substance.
Touching causes pain, which is comparable in strength to a bee sting. A rash appears at the touch site, accompanied by headache and nausea. Such a rash will last for two days. She defends herself with her poisonous horns, and she eats many types of plants.
3
Parasa indetermina
The larva of Parasa indetermina butterfly, due to its unusual appearance and ability to burn, received the nickname "Burning Rose." It grows no more than 2.5 cm, and the range is limited to the North American continent.
It has a bright color, on the body you can see a variety of stripes. Red and yellow spots. In addition, for protection, she has a number of processes on which there are burning tubercles. When touched, the tips of these tubercles break off, and severe pain and irritation are felt at the point of contact.
It feeds on the leaves of fruit trees, especially often affects various varieties of apple. It is also found in deciduous forests.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article about the most beautiful butterflies in the world.
4
Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar / Euclea delphinii
Experts note that the larva of this species of butterflies is not too dangerous, but it also developed protective mechanisms during evolution. They reach a length of no more than 1.5 cm, and eat, if you look at the species name of the butterfly, oak leaves.
Body color is quite mottled. There are small outgrowths throughout the body, on the ends of which a special substance is concentrated. After contact with the skin, such mucus causes a rash. These processes are prickly. Touching them is rather painful. The touch is pretty painful.
In addition to oaks, such lumpy creatures can be found on willows, maple. She loves to feast on the leaves and fruits of garden trees, thereby harming agriculture.
5
Volnanka / Orgyia leucostigma
Small butterflies settled on all continents, and in total there are more than 2,700 species. Particularly large populations are found in the tropical and subtropical zones of Southeast Asia and the African continent.
In many species of Pox, caterpillars are poisonous. On the body are hairs containing toxic substances. During periods of mass breeding, such larvae can cause great harm to animals and humans. The poison causes inflammation of the airways, affects the mucous membrane of the eyes and causes a rash on the skin.
In addition, they are multinivorous, and cause great harm to landscape gardening crops. They develop both on trees and on shrubby and herbaceous plants.
6
Cross Bear / Tyria jacobaeae
This species acquires toxicity as a result of eating a poisonous plant - the common Jacobian. The ability to eat poisonous plantings is widely used by farmers in Australia and New Zealand to eradicate dangerous weeds.
Because of the red coloring of the body, it is also called the Bloody Bear. The caterpillar eats the plant and becomes poisonous itself. It is not dangerous for humans, but it is a threat to birds that eat them.
A small number of these butterflies, and, consequently, caterpillars, were found in the Mozhaisk district of the Moscow region. In the last 40 years, there has been a decrease in the number of this species of butterflies, which is why many states have adopted laws to protect the species.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is a fascinating article about the most poisonous and dangerous insects in Australia.
7
Redtail / Calliteara pudibunda
The range of settlement of this butterfly is quite wide, but torn into two large regions. The first, these are the countries of Western Europe, found in Belarus and in the Crimea.
The second is the eastern regions of Russia. Widely settled in Siberia and Primorye.
She’s also called the Shamestalk. The whole body of the caterpillar is covered with hairs, and the color is quite diverse. There are red, pink, as well as brown and gray individuals. But everyone has a small red tail in the back.
Touching human skin causes an allergic rash, redness. The shaggy caterpillar will not bring much harm, but it is unpleasant.
8
Mauve purple / Mimas tiliae
A small caterpillar reaches at the peak of development of an average length of no more than 6 cm. Discovered the appearance of this discreet butterfly Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
The body is rough, and there is a horn on the tail. There is a protective shield on this horny process. Development begins in early summer. During this period, they can be found on the branches of wild and fruit trees. Especially a lot of them on linden, birch, different types of alder. By the time of pupation, it completely changes the color of the body.
By itself, it is harmless, but if it creeps through the body, it will leave a bright mark. On her body are substances that cause an allergic reaction. The most difficult for allergy sufferers and people with weakened immune systems.
9
Saturnia io / Automeris io
In Canada and the United States there is a beautiful peacock-eye butterfly. The entire body of the caterpillar of this butterfly is covered with peculiar green-colored pom-poms.
She herself is light, and does not grow more than 4-5 cm. This kind can only be admired from afar, but in no case to pick up and even touch. After contact with spikes, poison enters the body. Poisonous substances cause redness, pain at the injection site and can even cause the development of dermatitis.
It looks like a very nice and safe creature. But this is another proof that beauty is deceiving.
10
Moth Witch / Phobetron pithecium
The most peculiar and unusual caterpillar in wildlife usually lives on the fruit trees of orchards. Due to its unusual appearance, it is also called the “slug monkey”.
The whole body is covered with thick hair, and the body structure is different from the usual physique of butterfly larvae. Most often, the hairline has a light brown color, which darkens with age.
Nature took care of protection, because not every bird decides to peck such a "monster". This kind of larva can be perceived differently, but the hairs contain a toxic substance. If it gets on the skin, it leads to redness, which disappears after a few days.
11
Hickory Bear / Lophocampa caryae
Another fluffy dangerous caterpillar that lives on the territory of North and Central America. The white fluffy creature looks completely harmless.
It does not have poison, but there are nicks on the hairs that can damage the skin. In the damaged areas, inflammation is observed. This place itches, and later an unpleasant rash appears. One of the few that can bite.
It grows no more than 3 cm. Development occurs in late spring and early summer. It is especially worth staying away from them for people suffering from allergies.
12
Saturnia Maya / Hemileuca maia
In the photo you can see how the caterpillar of a beautiful butterfly looks. But her larva causes disgust, and discourages the desire to get to know each other better.
The whole body is covered with hollow spikes that are connected to poisonous reservoirs. When viewed through a microscope, you can see that these spikes are covered with multiple hairs. They themselves are dark, and the body of the caterpillar is light.
The poison causes the victim a severe itching, burning sensation. After primary external symptoms, headache, nausea begins. From spring to mid-summer they sit in large groups on oak branches and willows.
13
Lonomia / Lonomia Obliqua
One of the most poisonous caterpillars on the planet is the larva of the peacock eye butterfly, living in Latin America. It reaches a length of 5.5 to 8 cm. The whole body is covered with thin hairs. They are also called the Lazy Clown.
Numerous studies have proven that lomonia can produce toxic substances that are dangerous to human life and health. They first noticed toxicity poisoning in 1983, when dangerous creatures caused a massive epidemic in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The poisonous caterpillar from South America caused the death of many people. Especially often deaths after meeting her are recorded in southern Brazil.
14
Silkworm Camping Pine / Thaumetopoea pinivor
In Russia, poisonous caterpillars are not as dangerous as South American, but they can also cause a lot of trouble. This species of silkworm was named due to the massive migration of larvae. They live on pine needles, which they feed on.
During development, a magnificent hairline appears on the body. Adult individuals themselves break these hairs, resulting in a kind of dust. If such dust gets on the mucous membranes and human skin, a strong burning sensation begins.
Then the skin turns red, severe itching begins. Symptoms appear within a few weeks. After contact, seek medical attention.
15
Occhaster lunifer
This type of caterpillar is called "hiding in a bag." They keep in groups in a silk bag in the daytime, and at night creep out to hunt, moving one after another.
The species lives in the countries of South America, and is a danger to humans. The black caterpillar is covered with sharp hairs. They are not poisonous, but if you touch them you can get a deep cut.
The whole danger is that these hairs act as a powerful anticoagulant. Such a substance slows down the process of blood coagulation. In order to avoid big problems, it is necessary to provide medical assistance.
16
Baang haang
So called caterpillars of Thailand. They will complete our list on most-beauty. Almost all caterpillars of an exotic country will bring a lot of problems to tourists. After meeting with them, the body itches for weeks, a rash appears.
Like many inhabitants of the rainforests, the larvae of Thai butterflies are beautiful and distinctive. Most species have bright colors to scare away enemies. Some, on the contrary, disguise themselves as foliage or the earth's surface.
Going to any country it is necessary to study what dangerous creatures you can meet in its open spaces.
Summary
So we learned about poisonous tracks. As always, the most beautiful creatures are the most dangerous. Despite this, in world culture, a caterpillar, like a butterfly development cycle, is a symbol of rebirth. In the legends and myths of the peoples of the world, a three-dimensional transformation occurs, where the caterpillar is life, the chrysalis symbolizes death, and the butterfly symbolizes the resurrection. And if you look into the dream books, you can find the answer, what is the dream of a poisonous caterpillar? And almost everyone answers that to difficulties on the way to achieving the goal. The editors of most-beauty.ru are waiting for interesting comments from you on our topic.