http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asp_(caterpillar) I came into contact with one of these bad boys today and let's just say that it wasn't very enjoyable... It felt like someone stuck a lit cigarette butt to my arm... I saw these all the time when I was growing up as they are very common in Texas when the weather warms up...but really never thought much about them...til now...
Used to see those in my neighborhood when I was a kid in Houston. I was stung as least once, and knew others that were, as well. Very bad news. Not like a bee sting... these puppies hurt and make you SICK!
Next door neighbor used to have a palm tree infested with 'em. Never got stung though......weird. Even more weird. I probably haven't thought about one in over twenty years, and yet I came across something that looked like one the other day, and it made me think of 'em.
I saw a lot of these too growing up, although I guess I was warned about them at an early age since I was always afraid to get really close to one. I like the Youtube video at Wikipedia: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OeNggIGSKH8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OeNggIGSKH8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> I don't think I've seen one quite like that.
I can say I've never seen anything like this before in my entire life and if i did see it I would have freaked out and taken a baseball bat to it. FREAKY LITTLE SUCKER!
The ones I've seen are black with black setae. I seem to recall one of my dogs poking his nose at one and coming away with some painful reactions. I also have an early childhood memory of climbing a tree with friends and one of my friends happened to put the palm of his hand on one when reaching for a tree limb higher up. I don't recall if I ever touched one. I don't think so.
I remember those. They are in Houston. I also think I've mostly seen them in black. Never so dumb as to touch one though.
I don't remember ever seeing one of those. What I remember being an asp was a fuzzy black caterpillar that didn't have a tail or fuzzy legs. We had a mulberry tree in our backyard that used to get infested by those every few years.
They're very definitely in Houston. 3 years ago, I was living in an apt with window A/C units in the museum district. Came home late one night from L.A., passed out, and woke up at 2am with my entire right arm up onto the shoulder blade feeling like it was doused in napalm. ****ers actually came in through the A/C vents. Completely infested some tall shrubs outside my window. Arm was in complete anaphylactic shock the entire next day - couldn't raise above my shoulder and was constantly shaking. Best part was, I was asking for my wife's hand in marriage that day and already had a ridiculous history with her dad. Good times. Without a doubt I went on a killing spree with industrial strength spray. Keep an eye on your plants - if you EVER see one, be vigilante. Evan
