Sorry folks! A caterpillar stung Nora on the hand this morning and the swelling would not stop. She is down at the emergency room now and making a rapid recovery after getting antihistamines and steroids intravenously. We don’t know when she will be back home, so its probably safer to come tomorrow.
We will post again today if she is ready to go this afternoon or feel free to call her sometime after 1pm.
– Mark
Stone's Throw Garden 
Take care of yourself, Nora! Hope you’re feeling better. – MJ
Oh dear! Hope you’re feeling better soon, Nora! I’ve never heard of a caterpillar sting, but that’s not saying anything. There were these horrid things (growing up in Texas) that lived on live oak trees, that looked like caterpillars but hurt like heck and left raised welts if they fell on you. We called them ‘asps’… hope it wasn’t one of these!
Turns out they were caterpillars! This from Texas A&M: Most stinging caterpillars belong to the insect family known as flannel moths. Flannel moths get their name from the flannel-like appearance of the wings of the adult, which are clothed with loose scales mixed with long hairs. The immature stages of flannel moths are caterpillars which are clothed with fine hairs and venomous spines. The spines, when brushed against the skin, produce a painful rash or sting. The best known flannel moth and stinging caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth, or puss moth caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis. In Texas these caterpillars are commonly known as “asps”. This caterpillar is often abundant and may infest shade trees and shrubbery around homes, schools, and in parks. They are of minor importance as enemies of shade trees, but they can cause a severe sting. When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, venomous hairs stick into the skin causing a severe burning sensation and rash.
Nora,
I hope you’re feeling better. I never knew caterpillars could sting! Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Gallagher
Nora! How are you? What the heck kind of catepillar was that?
Elie
Hope u are doing better. say a prayer for u. terrie
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