About Hylesia metabus Cramer, 1775
The yellowtail moth, also called the ashen moth, is scientifically named Hylesia metabus Cramer, 1775. It is a moth species found in northeastern South America, where it mainly lives in the mangrove swamps of Venezuela and Guyana. This species was first formally described by Pieter Cramer in 1775.
Only adult female yellowtail moths have urticating hairs that cause human health effects. Contact with these hairs is known to produce a specific skin condition called Caripito itch. Adult moths are attracted to lights, and they often swarm around lights in nearby towns. Their urticating hairs can be released into the air, which leads to the development of severe urticarial and papulovesicular dermatitis in people. Hairs from male moths do not cause any symptoms at all. Females use their specialized urticating hairs to protect their egg masses from predators, such as ants.
