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A chilling warning has been issued to parents after a toddler was rushed to hospital after he was exposed to a deadly danger while playing at home.
Youngster Darcy was bouncing on his trampoline when he came in contact with a spiky cocoon with a white stemmed gum moth inside.
Thousands of painful spikes became embedded in his tiny hand, which needed surgery.
Paramedic Nikki shared the harrowing story on the Tiny Hearts Education Facebook page to warn other parents of the danger lurking around the yard in letterboxes and on tree trunks, firewood and play equipment.
'It's a timely reminder to check the area that your little ones play. I didn't even know about these but when Darcy's mama contacted me I knew I had to share!' she posted.
A toddler was rushed to hospital for surgery after spikes became stuck in his hand (pictured)
'The short spines on the outside of the cocoon are sharp and brittle, meaning they will break off and lodge in your skin; they also carry a toxin that causes pain and, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock.'
The white-stemmed gum moth are found in
