Seasonal-outbreaks
Guides
Hylesia
Hylesia is a genus of moths in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Hemileucinae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1820. Species in this genus are distributed across South and Central America, with well-documented populations in Brazil, Venezuela, French Guiana, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay. The genus is notable for causing lepidopterism—a medical condition involving skin and respiratory reactions from contact with urticating setae (bristles) on adult females. Several species, particularly H. metabus and H. nigricans, are significant public health concerns due to seasonal outbreaks of dermatitis.