Hairy flannel moth caterpillar (Megalopygidae)

Credit: VAUGHAN FLEMING/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: Flannel moth caterpillar. The hairy caterpillar of a Peruvian species of flannel moth (family Megalo- pygidea). This caterpillar may look harmless but its hairs are coated with stinging poison that causes sudden inflammation and pain after contact with skin. The poison protects the caterpillar against predatory birds. This specimen is from Quillabamba, Peru.

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Keywords: animal, caterpillar, flannel moth, hairy caterpillar, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, megalopygidae, moth, nature, poisonous, poisonous caterpillar, wildlife, zoology

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