summary of cecropia replies

[lday at iquest.net]

I got several responses to my question about a Dr. Singer at Cornell
in the early 60s and his students' allergies to cecropia moths.
Summary below.  Anyone with more info, please write...

No one had any recollection of the Cornell situation.  However:

Some people said they had handled cecropia moths for a long time with
never a problem.  Other people said that it is common for those who
work with insects to develop allergies to them - not just cecropia but
many other insects.  The blood, hairs, or scales give the sufferer dermatitis
or give them a bad reaction if inhaled.  In fact one person mentioned
that many substances, not just insects, will in time produce allergies 
in people who are constantly in contact with them. 

However, some people apparently never get such reactions, and one person
said that one does not automatically become allergic to cecropia after
X number of months or years.  

So I will be alert for signs of allergies to my caterpillars, and
stop petting them so much.  

Again, if anyone can verify or rebut the original story about the man 
at Cornell, I am still curious as to exactly what happened there.

Thank you all.


Liz Day
LDAY at iquest.net 
Indianapolis, Indiana, central USA, 40 N latitude, zone 5.
Land O'Larvae - home of the pink inchworm and the incredible 
devouring caterpillars.
Flowering houseplants; pollinator garden; bird spa (except the birds
get fatter, not thinner).
http://www.iquest.net/~lday