Lonomia

Last updated

Lonomia
Saturnid moth (Lonomia electra).jpg
L. electra
Mount Totumas cloud forest, Panama
Taturana.JPG
Caterpillar of Lonomia obliqua
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Hemileucinae
Genus: Lonomia
Walker, 1855
Species

See text

Diversity
14 species
Lonomia sp. Lonomia-sp.jpg
Lonomia sp.

The genus Lonomia is a moderate-sized group of fairly cryptic saturniid moths from South America, famous not for the adults, but for their highly venomous caterpillars, which are responsible for a few deaths each year, [1] especially in southern Brazil, and the subject of hundreds of published medical studies. They are commonly known as giant silkworm moth, a name also used for a wide range of other saturniid moths. [2]

Contents

Description

The caterpillars are themselves extremely cryptic, blending in against the bark of trees, where the larvae commonly aggregate. The larvae, like most hemileucines, are covered with urticating hairs, but these caterpillars possess a uniquely potent anticoagulant venom. [3]

Toxicity

A typical envenomation incident involves a person unknowingly leaning against, placing their hand on, or rubbing their arm against a group of these caterpillars that are gathered on the trunk of a tree. The effects of a dose from multiple caterpillars can be dramatic and severe, including massive internal hemorrhaging, kidney failure, and hemolysis. The resulting medical syndrome is sometimes called lonomiasis. Death may result, either rapidly or after many days following envenomation. [4]

The LD50 of the Lonomia venom is 0.19 mg for an 18–20 g mouse (IV); however, due to the small amount of venom in the bristles of the caterpillar, the rate of human fatality is only 1.7%. [5]

While there are more than a dozen species in the genus, the most troublesome species is Lonomia obliqua , and it is this species on which most of the medical research has centered. As anticoagulants have some very beneficial applications (e.g., prevention of life-threatening blood clots) the research is motivated by the possibility of deriving some pharmaceutically valuable chemicals from the toxin.

Species

Notes

  1. ↑ Chan, Kris; et al. (2008-07-15). "Caterpillar-induced bleeding syndrome in a returning traveller". Canadian Medical Association Journal . Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  2. ↑ Meyer, W.L. (May 1, 1996), "Chapter 23: Most Toxic Insect Venom", Book of Insect Records, Gainesville, Florida: Department of Entomology & Nematology, University of Florida, retrieved March 18, 2011
  3. ↑ Pinto, Antônio F.M.; Berger, Markus; Reck Jr., José; Terra, Renata M.S.; Guimarães, Jorge A. "Lonomia obliqua venom: In vivo effects and molecular aspects associated with the hemorrhagic syndrome". Toxicon. Volume 56, Issue 7, 15 December 2010, Pages 1103–1112
  4. ↑ Chan, K., Lee, A., Onell, R., Etches, W., Nahirniak, S., Bagshaw, S. M., & Larratt, L. M. (2008). Caterpillar-induced bleeding syndrome in a returning traveller. Canadian Medical Association journal 179(2), 158–161. doi:10.1503/cmaj.071844
  5. ↑ - Chudzinski-Tavassi & Carrijo-Carvalho (2005) – Biochemical and Biological properties of Lonomia obliqua bristle extract, Table 1 – Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venom</span> Toxin secreted by an animal

Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved venom apparatus, such as fangs or a stinger, in a process called envenomation. Venom is often distinguished from poison, which is a toxin that is passively delivered by being ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, and toxungen, which is actively transferred to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urticating hair</span> Bristles on plants and animals that cause physical irritation when embedded

Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle", and bristles that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in several families. This term also refers to certain types of barbed bristles that cover the dorsal and posterior surface of a tarantula's or caterpillar's abdomen. Many tarantula species eject bristles from their abdomens, directing them toward potential attackers. These bristles can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes, causing physical irritation, usually to great discomfort. The term "hairs" is technically a misnomer, as only mammals possess true hairs. The scientific term for plant hairs is trichomes.

<i>Bothrops atrox</i> Species of snake

Bothrops atrox — also known as the common lancehead, fer-de-lance, barba amarilla and mapepire balsain — is a highly venomous pit viper species found in the tropical lowlands of northern South America east of the Andes, as well as the Caribbean island of Trinidad. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Pouteria</i> Genus of trees

Pouteria is a genus of flowering trees in the gutta-percha family, Sapotaceae. The genus is widespread throughout the tropical Americas, with outlier species in Cameroon and Malesia. It includes the canistel, the mamey sapote, and the lucuma. Commonly, this genus is known as pouteria trees, or in some cases, eggfruits.

<i>Caryocar</i> Genus of flowering plants

Caryocar is a genus of flowering plants, in the South American family Caryocaraceae described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1771. It is native primarily to South America with a few species extending into Central America and the West Indies.

<i>Aspidosperma</i> Genus of plants

Aspidosperma is a genus of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1824. It is native to South America, Central America, southern Mexico, and the West Indies.

<i>Crotalus durissus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus durissus, known as the South American rattlesnake, tropical rattlesnake, and by other names, is a highly venomous pit viper species found in South America. It is the most widely distributed member of its genus. Currently, seven subspecies are recognized.

<i>Asplundia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Asplundia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Cyclanthaceae. They are distributed in the Neotropical realm from southern Mexico to southern Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of South America</span> Hierarchical outline list of articles related to South America

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to South America.

<i>Ateuchus</i> Genus of beetles

Ateuchus is a genus of some 100 species of New World scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) in the subfamily Scarabaeinae. They are found mainly in the Neotropics.

<i>Pyrrhopyge</i> Genus of butterflies

Pyrrhopyge is a Neotropical genus of firetips in the family Hesperiidae.

D. minutus may refer to:

<i>Lonomia obliqua</i> Species of moth

Lonomia obliqua is a species of saturniid moth from South America. It is famous for its larval form, rather than the adult moth, primarily because of the caterpillar's defense mechanism, urticating bristles that inject a potentially deadly venom. The caterpillar has been responsible for many human deaths, especially in southern Brazil. Its venom has been the subject of numerous medical studies. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1855. Guinness World Records classified Lonomia obliqua as the most venomous caterpillar in the world.

<i>Mesene</i> (butterfly) Genus of butterflies

Mesene is a genus in the butterfly family Riodinidae present in the Neotropical realm.

<i>Euselasia</i> Genus of butterflies

Euselasia is a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae. They are present only in the Neotropical realm. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819.

<i>Nymphidium</i> Genus of butterflies

Nymphidium is a genus in the butterfly family Riodinidae present only in the Neotropical realm.

<i>Calospila</i> Genus of butterflies

Calospila is a butterfly genus in the family Riodinidae. They are resident in the Americas.

<i>Alpaida</i> (spider) Genus of spiders

Alpaida is a genus of South American orb-weaver spiders first described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1889.

<i>Lonomia achelous</i> Species of moth

Lonomia achelous, the Brazilian caterpillar or giant silkworm moth caterpillar, is a venomous caterpillar endemic to South America. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal attacks in Latin America</span>

List of reported attacks and species involved in Latin America.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.