Gotta love stupid reporting...
The article is very clear about the toddler picking up the caterpillar, and barely having any issues at all.
And the article says "parents on edge as venomous asp
attacks toddler"
I suppose they were lucky it was a regular asp and not one of the bad, gang-member asps that travel in large packs attacking humans that look at them funny.
In Texas they are called Asp. I think they are also called puss moth caterpillar. They have urticating hairs (like other "fuzzy" caterpillars and the irritating hairs on the backs of tarantulas.
I think they are pretty much the most harmful caterpillar around. I've heard of folks having to go to the hospital because of the reaction to the "sting" from coming into contact with the urticating hairs.
__________________
Steve
'08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960
- never named a car before, but this is Charlotte.
'88 targa

SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten