Southern Flannel Moth
Megalopyge opercularis (J. E. Smith, 1797)
Family: Megalopygidae
Subfamily:
Identification: Wings and body cream; thorax and FW base orangish. Some blackish and white along basal 2/3 of FW costa, but no sharp wing pattern.
Wing Span: 2.4-3.6 cm
Life History: Larvae resemble small furry cats. They have stinging hairs hidden among tufts of dense, soft hairs. They feed externally on various trees and shrubs.
Flight: All months
Caterpillar Hosts: Almond, apple, hackberry, oaks, orange, pecan, persimmon, roses, and other trees and shrubs
Adult Food:
Habitat: Deciduous forests and adjacent areas
Range: Maryland, to Florida, west to Missouri and Texas. Strays to New York and Pennsylvania.
Conservation:
NCGR: G5
Management Needs: none
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 282 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 29, 2019
Submitted by: Jacksbf56
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 12, 2019
Observation date: Dec 05, 2019
Submitted by: Keysgirl
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 06, 2019
Observation date: Sep 29, 2019
Submitted by: Junior Ranger Ian
Region: New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 21, 2019
Observation date: Oct 19, 2019
Submitted by: lmatthews
Region: Texas, United States, Williamson County
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 21, 2019
Observation date: Sep 15, 2019
Submitted by: carleypasq
Region: Meriwether County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 16, 2019
Observation date: Aug 12, 2019
Submitted by: btfoster
Region: Jefferson County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 23, 2019
Observation date: Aug 16, 2019
Submitted by: LillyRose
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 17, 2019
Observation date: Jul 27, 2019
Submitted by: Cheri Pierce
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 09, 2019
Observation date: Jul 25, 2019
Submitted by: rseidler
Region: Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 07, 2019
Observation date: Jul 02, 2019
Submitted by: momsavang
Region: Franklin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 05, 2019
Observation date: Jul 22, 2019
Submitted by: MothLady41
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 02, 2019
Observation date: Jul 18, 2019
Submitted by: JanasBugs
Region: Dallas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 31, 2019
Observation date: Jul 16, 2019
Submitted by: Mikelchap
Region: Glynn County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jul 19, 2019
Observation date: Jun 09, 2019
Submitted by: KatNastie
Region: Sussex County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 18, 2019
Observation date: Jul 14, 2019
Submitted by: Rakostick
Region: Pickens County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 16, 2019
Observation date: Jul 01, 2019
Submitted by: kewood7
Region: Calvert County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 01, 2019
Observation date: Jun 29, 2019
Submitted by: John LeBlanc
Region: Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 29, 2019
Observation date: May 30, 2019
Submitted by: Jbanks
Region: Cullman County, Alabama, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 30, 2019
Observation date: Jan 09, 2019
Submitted by: Traveling_Gopher
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 28, 2019
Observation date: Oct 08, 2018
Submitted by: Ryan84
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 11, 2019
Observation date: Mar 01, 2019
Submitted by: hullyjr
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 28, 2019
Observation date: Aug 24, 2017
Submitted by: KateTweedy
Region: Glynn County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Feb 06, 2019
Observation date: Jan 24, 2019
Submitted by: lkennedywilson
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 04, 2019
Observation date: Jul 02, 2018
Submitted by: Rose A. Payne
Region: Bibb County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jan 30, 2019
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