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Case Reports
. 2022 Mar;33(1):125-127.
doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2021.10.003. Epub 2021 Dec 8.

Unusual Sting by a Nonindigenous Caterpillar in Europe

Romain Torrents  1 , Julien Reynoard  2 , Corinne Schmitt  2 , Mathieu Glaizal  2 , Luc de Haro  2 , Nicolas Simon  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Unusual Sting by a Nonindigenous Caterpillar in Europe

Romain Torrents et al. Wilderness Environ Med. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

On the French island of Corsica, a 57-y-old woman without significant medical history was stung on the left thumb while she was taking care of an ornamental Ficus benjamina plant. Immediately, she felt intense pain in her hand. She saw a strange caterpillar, later identified by the local poison center as Acharia stimulea. The pain in her hand was evaluated as 8 of 10 using the numerical pain rating scale; only a slight erythema was visible on her skin. Symptoms disappeared within 2 h with use of local anti-inflammatory ointment and oral painkillers. Three other caterpillars emerged out of the soil of the potted plant during the following week. This sting by a saddleback caterpillar is exceptional in Corsica. French garden store owners and healthcare professionals should be informed that caterpillars can be imported across the oceans to Europe on different plants.

Keywords: Acharia stimulea; Corsica; Ficus benjamina; envenomation; saddleback caterpillar; toxinology.

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