Teddy Bear Caterpillar - Warning

I saw this on FaceBook. Thought it should be shared.





FROM: Chula Vista Board, Ecologia Committee.
November 18, 2015.
We have received important information from the Chapala Dept. of Ecologia: We need to alert all of Chula Vista Fracc to the presence of a venomous caterpillar-like insect in our midst. This furry insect is called La Oruga de Peluche…which is Spanish for “stuffed animal” and that is exactly what it appears to be. Yet, it is a most dangerous creatures, especially to children, because it has spines that secrete very strong venom. Youngsters may think it is a small stuffed animal, one they are eager to pick up. But one touch can be deadly.
If you were to just touch the creature, its venom can enter your system, causing your muscles to become paralyzed, affecting your brain and causing you to go into fatal respiratory arrest. Clearly this is very serious threat.
The Bomberos responded to a possible sighting of Oruga de Peluche in Chula Vista, in a garden on Del Monte. This is reason enough for us all to be on alert. You can get more information by searching the Latin name of this insect: Megalopyge opercularis.
If you or your gardener should see the insect pictured attached, DO NOT TOUCH it and immediately call the Department of Civil Protection and the Bomberos/Firefighters at the number below. They will come to your home and safely remove the insect.
Depart. of Civil Protection and Bomberos: 766-5252 o 766-3615.

Jeez,cartels,rateros and now teddy bear caterpillars..
I picked up a caterpillar in the Barranca de Oblatos,despite my wifes warning,and it did sting.

It doesn't seem to bother Mr. Trump in the least and he wears one on his head.

His is a Teddy Hair Caterpillar. Causes severe brain damage..........

Oh thank you guys SOOO much. I just snorted coffee on my keyboard.

Guad reporter has article this week on Donald insect.

Z

Generally it's a bad idea to pick up ANY hairy caterpillar. With the exception of the little black wooly bears that show up here in profusion. They get in my house so I carry them out to the yard.

I have the real thing (bear, puss, flannel moth caterpillar, whatever your want to call it) alive in a container in my bodega right now. The gardener bought it to me thinking he may have been stung by the spines beneath the fur. We're waiting to see if he has a reaction and keeping the cute little critter as evidence...

Might be good bait......!!

Bait? Ha,ha Would be interesting putting it on the hook! Wouldn't have to ask what bait people were using - just listen to the cuss words...

Flamingo wrote:Oh thank you guys SOOO much. I just snorted coffee on my keyboard.

I did too.