These stinging insects will soon invade Louisiana. Will they multiply in number this year?

Warm air, blooming flowers and the smell of seafood boils are the tell tale signs of springtime in Louisiana. But another spring staple is getting ready to show its face around town, and unfortunately, it stings. 

We’re talking about everyone’s least favorite caterpillar: the buck moth caterpillar. 

Buck moth caterpillars, known by their scientific name Hemileuca maia (Drury), start to emerge from their eggs in March when the weather is warm enough. They typically reach their peak from April to June. 

The large, spiny crawlers are typically a dark color and have reddish heads and white spots. They have spiny barbed structures all over their body and venom gland that leave a burning feeling when you’re stung. 

They typically hang out on oak trees, but settle for willow trees, wild cherry trees and rose bushes when they must, according to Louisiana State University’s Agriculture Center. 

Buck moth caterpillars aren’t limited to just Louisiana. They’re found from Maine to Florida and as far west as east Texas, the LSU Ag Center says. 

But this year, they could be especially prevalent in New Orleans, according to Zack Lemann, the curator of animal collections for the Audubon Insectarium.

Lemann bases his guess on the number of buck moth caterpillars in the spring on how many adult buck moths he sees flying around during the winter. 

“This past December, flight was robust,” Lemann said. 

That could leave the rest of us noticing more buck moth caterpillars than usual as the weather warms up. 

So what should you do if you spot them? Most importantly, don’t touch them if you don’t want to get stung. 

If you do happen to get stung, it doesn’t typically require medical attention, though you should watch for any possible allergic reactions. You can take an antihistamine and wash the affected area to keep it clean.