ABSTRACT
At least 12 moth or butterfly families have species whose caterpillars possess urticating hairs or spines that secrete a poison when exposed to human skin1,2 (see also Chapter 5). An excellent overview has been provided by Diaz,3 and Alexander4 presented detailed discussion of the nature of the various venoms and hair/spine structure. Urtication by larval lepidopterans is often termed eurcism. Often, exposure to urticating caterpillars is accidental or incidental, but in some cases there is deliberate contact (e.g., children playing with caterpillars). In many species, there is a severe burning sensation immediately following the sting. This may be followed by swelling, numbness, urticaria, and intense stabbing pain that radiates to a nearby axillary or inguinal region; lymphadenitis may also be present. Usually the effects of these toxic hairs are limited to burning and inflammation of the skin, but they may progress to systemic reactions such as headache, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, acute renal failure, and shock and convulsions (rare).1,5 Days later, the lesion may show a pattern similar to that of the spines of the offending specimen (see box and Figure 14.1). At least one group of moths in the genus Lonomia (giant silkworm moths) in South America have
I. General and Medical Importance .................................................................... 159
II. General Description .........................................................................................160
