The browntail moth, its caterpillar and their rash

Abstract

The browntail moth, or Euproctis chrysorroea Linn., is now the most important urticating lepidopterous species in the British Isles. The hairs of its caterpillars, either by direct contact or by other means, can cause skin and eye symptoms and may, though fortunately rarely, cause blindness. It is possible that they can also cause other symptoms. A series of thirty‐six patients has been studied and the clinical features encountered are reported. The life history of the browntail moth is also described.