Menacing Invisible Stinger

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adh123 Ellwood City, PA Aug 27, 2015

Twice this year, while working outside, I've been bitten/stung by some invisible, mysterious insect. I am hoping someone here can help me identify what it might be.

The first time, about three weeks ago, I was trimming back my bleeding hearts. My arm brushed up against the plant, and I felt something sting me. It was not as powerful as, say, a bee or a wasp, but it was definitely a stinging sensation, as opposed to a bite.

I didn't see a bug of any kind, so I continued trimming and was, once again, hit by something in my hand. This time, however, I was looking directly AT my hand, snipping a branch, and I STILL didn't see what got me! In both instances, the stinging lasted for about an hour. Both sting/bite sites developed a rash-like spot, about the size of a golf ball.

So this morning, I was outside pruning some elm trees. During clean-up, I picked up a branch, and the leaves brushed my arm. Once again, I felt the stinging sensation and developed a rash. But, once again, I saw NOTHING!

I've been an outside person all of my life. I grew up playing in fields and woods, and I have never had this happen before. In all instances, it happened when I came into contact with leaves.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? I'm thinking that it must be a spider, whose bite feels more like a sting. Hopefully, someone can help me in identifying this mysterious menace!

Post #10133793
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adh123 Ellwood City, PA Aug 31, 2015

Solved!!

Having gotten stung again today, I did a careful inspection of the aster plant I was working around....and right there, on the underside of a leaf, was a caterpillar. I Googled "Stinging Caterpillars", and there he was....a Saddleback. Now, my only question would be, has anyone else seen an over abundance of these things this year?

Post #10135505
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1lisac Liberty Hill, TX(Zone 8a) Aug 31, 2015

You might want to start a new thread with the name of the criminal/cat. It will catch people's attention who know about it. Im happy to say I do not!

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