Megalopyge crispata, the black-waved flannel moth, crinkled flannel moth or white flannel moth, is a moth of the Megalopygidae family. It is found along the east coast of the United States, and as far inland as Oklahoma.

Megalopyge crispata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Megalopygidae
Genus: Megalopyge
Species:
M. crispata
Binomial name
Megalopyge crispata
(Packard, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Lagoa crispata Packard, 1864
  • Lagoa grisea (Barnes & McDunnough, 1910)

The wingspan of this moth is 25–40 mm. Adults are on the wing from May to October. There is one generation per year in the north, two or more in the south.

The caterpillars feed on various trees and shrubs. The caterpillars produce a venom delivered through hollow urticating hairs that can penetrate the skin. This venom can cause pain, a burning sensation, lymphadenopathy, headache and inflammatory dermatitis.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Lamdin JM, Howell DE, Kocan KM, Murphey DR, Arnold DC, Fenton AW, et al. (September 2000). "The venomous hair structure, venom and life cycle of Lagoa crispata, a puss caterpillar of Oklahoma". Toxicon. 38 (9): 1163–1189. doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(99)00195-6. PMID 10736472.
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