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
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 312 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 24, 2016
Submitted by: Dwaine Wagoner
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 31, 2021
Observation date: Jun 03, 2018
Submitted by: KKB530
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 10, 2021
Observation date: Aug 21, 2019
Submitted by: Lorimccracken
Region: Carroll County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 10, 2021
Observation date: Sep 15, 2021
Submitted by: nehall
Region: Martinsville, Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Sep 18, 2021
Observation date: Sep 03, 2021
Submitted by: Kelly Bradford
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Sep 18, 2021
Observation date: Aug 03, 2021
Submitted by: Brendavent
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 05, 2021
Observation date: Jul 08, 2021
Submitted by: Stephanie Kotkin
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 14, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2021
Submitted by: Dida618
Region: Georgia, United States, Walton County
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jul 14, 2021
Observation date: Jun 14, 2021
Submitted by: tirvine2020
Region: Alachua County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 19, 2021
Observation date: Jun 09, 2021
Submitted by: JamieLynn
Region: Richmond County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jun 12, 2021
Observation date: Jul 16, 2018
Submitted by: Chris Segatti
Region: Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 25, 2021
Observation date: Apr 02, 2008
Submitted by: BarbSendelbach
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 17, 2021
Observation date: Sep 30, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Hutchinson
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 28, 2020
Observation date: Oct 08, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Hutchinson
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 28, 2020
Observation date: Sep 30, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Hutchinson
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 28, 2020
Observation date: Sep 30, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Hutchinson
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 28, 2020
Observation date: Sep 30, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Hutchinson
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 28, 2020
Observation date: Oct 13, 2020
Submitted by: Ybag24
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 05, 2020
Observation date: Nov 04, 2020
Submitted by: Robert Schoenberg
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 05, 2020
Observation date: Aug 31, 2020
Submitted by: katydidthat
Region: Seminole County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 26, 2020
Observation date: Jul 19, 2020
Submitted by: Cheri Pierce
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 02, 2020
Observation date: Aug 19, 2020
Submitted by: ryan harjo
Region: McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 20, 2020
Observation date: Jul 14, 2020
Submitted by: Dave Webb
Region: Caroline County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 01, 2020
Observation date: Jul 16, 2020
Submitted by: Kandis
Region: Prince William County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 24, 2020
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