Puss Caterpillars Don't Always Sting: Though most of the reports I receive on puss caterpillars describe the excruciating pain their stings cause, some tell me how they touched, even played with, these caterpillars without receiving any ill effects.

Why this sometimes happens is a mystery, but several possibilities seem more likely than others. Genetic abnormalities top the list. The toxin delivery system in the puss caterpillar depends on a number of subsystems, all of which must work effectively for the caterpillar to sting. Just as some people are born without skin pigment, or with deformities of one kind or another, certain puss caterpillars may be born with one or more of the venom delivery subsystems missing or defective. In some cases, all subsystems may be in place but the venom produced by the venom glands is chemically benign.

Such genetic defects often work in favor of the organism, especially when the organism has a reputation for producing painful stings. That reputation will lead many caterpillar predators, such as birds, lizards, and spiders, to avoid attacking the puss caterpillar even if it happens not to be venomous, thus giving the defective caterpillar an advantage over its venomous siblings. Unlike them, it will be able to use the energy and resources normally invested in those structures for other purposes. Keep in mind, however, that the offspring of non-venomous puss caterpillar may be venomous.

RETURN TO PUSS CATERPILLAR INFORMATION, PG. 2

TERMITE ENCOUNTERS *  SNAKE ENCOUNTERS * SNAKE BITE FIRST AID * SNAKE EXCLUSION * SPIDER ENCOUNTERS * SPIDER BITE FIRST AID * SPIDER EXTERMINATION * PUSS CATERPILLAR ENCOUNTERS * PUSS CATERPILLAR FIRST AID * PUSS CATERPILLAR EXTERMINATION *  Assembled & Edited by Jerry Cates. Questions? Corrections? Comments? BUG ME RIGHT NOW! ---- Ph: 512-331-1111 ---- E-Mail ---- Privacy ---- B ug sIn The News