Lonomia
Encyclopedia
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 venom
ous caterpillar
s, which are responsible for a few deaths each year (e.g., http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/179/2/158), 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.
, are covered with urticating hair
s, but these caterpillars possess a uniquely potent anticoagulant
venom.
, and hemolysis
. The resulting medical syndrome is sometimes called Lonomiasis.
To date, no one has calculated the values of Lonomia venom; the rate of human fatality has been documented as 1.7%.
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), a fair bit of the research is with the intent of deriving some pharmaceutically valuable chemicals.
Saturniidae
The Saturniidae, commonly known as saturniids, are among the largest and most spectacular of the moths. They form a family of Lepidoptera, with an estimated 1,300 to 1,500 described species worldwide...
moths from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, famous not for the adults, but for their highly venom
Venom
Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...
ous caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s, which are responsible for a few deaths each year (e.g., http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/179/2/158), especially in southern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, 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
Saturniidae
The Saturniidae, commonly known as saturniids, are among the largest and most spectacular of the moths. They form a family of Lepidoptera, with an estimated 1,300 to 1,500 described species worldwide...
moths.
Description
The caterpillars are themselves extremely cryptic, blending in against the bark of trees, where the larvae commonly aggregate. The larvae, like most hemileucinesHemileucinae
Hemileucinae is a subfamily of the family Saturniidae.This subfamily contains the following genera:*Adetmoeris Michener, 1949*Ancistrota Hübner, 1819*Automerella Michener, 1949*Automerina Michener, 1949*Automeris Hübner, 1819...
, are covered with urticating hair
Urticating hair
Urticating hairs, i.e. stinging hairs, are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, some New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle", and hairs that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in...
s, but these caterpillars possess a uniquely potent anticoagulant
Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation of blood. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some anticoagulants are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis...
venom.
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, renal failureRenal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
, and hemolysis
Hemolysis
Hemolysis —from the Greek meaning "blood" and meaning a "loosing", "setting free" or "releasing"—is the rupturing of erythrocytes and the release of their contents into surrounding fluid...
. The resulting medical syndrome is sometimes called Lonomiasis.
To date, no one has calculated the values of Lonomia venom; the rate of human fatality has been documented as 1.7%.
While there are more than a dozen species in the genus, the most troublesome species is Lonomia obliqua
Lonomia obliqua
Lonomia obliqua is a species of Saturniid moths from South America. Its famous for its larvae form, rather than the adult moth, for several reasons...
, 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), a fair bit of the research is with the intent of deriving some pharmaceutically valuable chemicals.
Species
- Lonomia achelous (Cramer, 1777) — Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Suriname
- Lonomia beneluzi Lemaire, 2002 — French Guiana
- Lonomia camox Lemaire, 1972 — Venezuela, French Guiana, Suriname
- Lonomia columbiana Lemaire, 1972 — Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia
- Lonomia descimoni Lemaire, 1972 — Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Brazil, Suriname
- Lonomia diabolus Draudt, 1929 — Brazil, French Guiana
- Lonomia electra Druce, 1886 — Central America up to MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
- Lonomia francescae L. Racheli, 2005 — Ecuador
- Lonomia frankaeLonomia frankaeLonomia frankae is a species of saturniid moth. To date it has only been found in the vicinity of Oxapampa, Peru. Although it is not rare during April, it has only been caught in a single location, despite extensive sampling for a decade. Males do not fly until a short time before sunrise, which...
Meister, Naumann, Brosch & Wenczel, 2005 — Peru - Lonomia obliquaLonomia obliquaLonomia obliqua is a species of Saturniid moths from South America. Its famous for its larvae form, rather than the adult moth, for several reasons...
WalkerFrancis Walker (entomologist)Francis Walker was an English entomologist. He was one of the most prolific authors in entomology, and stirred controversy during his later life as his publications resulted in a huge number of junior synonyms....
, 1855 — Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay - Lonomia pseudobliqua Lemaire, 1973 — Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru
- Lonomia rufescens Lemaire, 1972 — Nicaragua to Panama, Colombia, Peru
- Lonomia serranoi Lemaire, 2002 — El Salvador
- Lonomia venezuelensis Lemaire, 1972 — Venezuela
External links
- Saturniidae World: Pictures of all species