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| | Urban IPM: Insects: Stinging Caterpillars |
 | | A number of caterpillar species have evolved stinging hairs or urticating spines as an effective form of defense. |
 | | This form of chemical defense is found in several families particularly Megalopygidae, Limacodidae, Saturniidae, and a few Nymphalidae, Anthelidae, Lasiocampidae, Bombycidae, Eupterotidae, Lymantriidae, Arctiidae, and Noctuidae. Adult moths do not sting though some display toxicity causing an illness known as Lepidopterism, caused by exposure to the setae (hairs) on the adult. |
 | | Other adult moths contain urticating scales, such as those found in the following families (Notodontidae, Thaumetopoeinae, Lymantriidae, Arctiidae, and Saturniidae) or have integumental glands that produce an urticating chemical (Zygaenidae and Arctiidae). |
| ag.arizona.edu /urbanipm/insects/stingingcaterpillars.html (1260 words) |
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