I picked an eggplant and got stung by a caterpillar

[Marthe48]

I was watering my little garden, and decided to pick the lone eggplant. I felt an immediate stining on the tip of my little finger, and a small hairy black caterpillar dropped to the ground. I came in and ran cold water over my finger, which stopped the stinging, then used my cute little foot brush and scrubbed the area. I put antiitch on it and took an allergy pill.

I sure hope the little bastard didn't kill me. Bad enough what it did to the eggplant

[rsdsharp]

1. Sorry about the sting. I hope you'll be alright.

Years ago, I got stung by a wasp while taking out a window air conditioner. I ran downstairs, put a raw onion on the sting (thanks Mark Trail comic strip), grabbed a fly swatter, ran back upstairs and beat that little bastard until it was in several pieces. It was oddly satisfying, but I would have preferred to miss the experience altogether.

[Marthe48]

2. Thanks!

I read Mark Trail every single day until I couldn't. Loved that strip. I don't remember the onion trick. I use ammonia. The last time I got stung was by a bee on my foot. I try to remember to wear shoes in the grass and watch my step!

Hope you aren't allergic!

[marble falls]

3. There some caterpillar one needs to avoid ...

... and I hope you didn't kill the little bastard.


www.wildlifeinsight.com › stinging-caterpillars-of-north-america
Stinging Caterpillars of North America | Wildlife Insight
Among the small number of Megalopygid species found in North America is the notorious Puss Moth caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), also known as the Southern Flannel Moth and appropriately named Asp. It is very hairy, almost cuddly, yet packs quite a sting. In recent years some have likened it to Donald Trump's hairstyle.

https://www.ranker.com › list › cool-harmful-caterpillars › eric-vega
12 Poisonous Caterpillars That Will Actually Kill You - Ranker
The hickory tussock caterpillar - native to the northern US - has always been a problem bug. This little guy shows up in droves to areas in the north, with a high concentration in Maine, and is known to cause bad allergic reactions, so much so that entomologists warn residents to avoid them at all cost.

Some photos:

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=dangerous+caterpillars+in+the+US&atb=v330-1&iax=images&ia=images

[Marthe48]

4. No, didn't kill it

I think there should be some cross-species chatter, so more critters know I'm a softy

I seem to be okay, no swelling, pain or redness.

Thanks for those links. After I treated it, I googled (bastard was an optional search term ) and soon realized that I might not find the right caterpillar, but didn't see any that could outright kill me.

[marble falls]

5. It pays to keep the bastards on the radar!