Health officials have issued their annual spring warning as tussock moth caterpillars begin their peak season

It is officially that time of year in Florida. Florida Poison Control and health officials have issued their annual spring warning as tussock moth caterpillars begin their peak season, which usually lasts through the end of April.

While they look like tiny, fuzzy toys—often sporting white or yellow tufts, red heads, and long “hair” pencils—the “look, don’t touch” advice is serious.

Why You Should Keep Your Distance

• The “Sting” is in the Hair: These caterpillars don’t bite or sting with a stinger. Instead, their bodies are covered in urticating hairs. These tiny, hollow hairs can break off and embed in your skin.
• Symptoms: Contact typically causes a localized skin rash, redness, and intense itching or burning. For most, the irritation lasts about a day, but those with sensitive skin or allergies can have more severe reactions.
• Secondary Exposure: You don’t have to touch the caterpillar directly to get a rash. The hairs can be left behind on outdoor furniture, playground equipment, and tree trunks. Even their cocoons (which look like matted tufts of fur) are covered in these irritating hairs.

Identifying the Tussock Moth Caterpillar

In Florida, you are most likely to see the Whitemarked or Fir tussock moth varieties. Keep an eye out for:

• Distinct Tufts: Four dense clumps of hair on their back (resembling a toothbrush).
• Bright Colors: They often have a bright red or orange head.
• Hair Pencils: Long clusters of black hairs projecting from the front and rear.

What to Do if You Get “Stung”

If you or someone else accidentally touches one, Poison Control typically recommends:

1. Tape Lift: Use adhesive tape (like packing or duct tape) to gently pull the hairs out of the skin.
2. Wash Up: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Soothe: Use an ice pack or baking soda paste to reduce itching. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, seek medical attention.

By mid-May, most of these will have transitioned into cocoons and then into moths, and the “caterpillar rain” from the oak trees will subside for another year.

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