Venoms of Lepidoptera

Abstract

The ways in which Lepidoptera can accidentally affect man's health by means of specialised scales and toxic substances are reviewed and discussed under 2 main headings: erucism and lepidopterism. The first describes the condition resulting from contact with urticating hairs shed by larvae and adults; 61 genera have been implicated in this connection in various parts of the world. The species include many that are plant pests, such as Thaumetopoea spp., Lymantria dispar (L.) (Porthetria dispar), L. monacha (L.) and Dasychira pudibunda (L.). Lepidopterism is an exanthematic epidemic intoxication resulting from contact with toxic substances that have penetrated the skin and are contained in the acicular scales of some species of Hylesia; it appears to be limited to South America. The symptomatology, treatment, epidemiology and prevention of both conditions are discussed. ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT: The ways in which Lepidoptera can accidentally affect man's health by means of specialised scales and toxic substances are reviewed and discussed under 2 main headings: erucism and lepidopterism. The first describes the condition resulting from contact with urticating hairs shed by larvae or adults; the symptoms produced, the identification of the lepidopterous species responsible, treatment, epidemiology and prevention are discussed. Lepidopterism is an exanthematic epidemic intoxication resulting from contact with toxic substances that have penetrated the skin and are contained in the acicular scales of some species of Hylesia; it appears to be limited to South America. It is characteristic of lepidopterism that there is no direct contact between the insect and the person affected.