Potential distribution and ecological conditions of Lonomia obliqua Walker 1855 (Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) in Brazil

A hidden deadly venomous insect: First eco-epidemiological assessment and risk mapping of lonomism in Argentina

“…Lonomia larvae do not spin a pupal cocoon (which may provide some level of protection against moisture loss and subsequent desiccation and death), but rather form pre-pupae and naked pupae on the surface of the soil [41]. This soil is characteristically acidic in Misiones [58] and in the area predicted for L. obliqua in Brazil [14]. The low availability of phosphorus in Misiones soil [59] may help the elimination of inorganic phosphorus from pupal tissues, enhancing the splitting action of phosphorylases-which may be responsible for a phosphorolytical inactivation of coenzymes-in these tissues, until an equilibrium is reached at minimum metabolic rate [60].…”

“…Envenomation by Lonomia has also become a serious public health threat in Argentina over the last few years [12,13], especially in the Misiones province that exhibits several natural tourist attractions and shares the Atlantic Forest biome with Brazil. Favalesso et al [14] demonstrated that this biome presents suitable areas for the presence of L. obliqua, and Misiones has the largest remnant of continuous Atlantic Forest. However, much of this area has undergone rapid land-use change during the last decades [15], decreasing the space between larvae and humans, which may be favoring the accidental contact.…”

Caterpillar Venom: A Health Hazard of the 21st Century

“…It is used to address the intoxication by the extremely venomous Lonomia obliqua from the Saturniidae family, commonly known as Taturana or fire caterpillar, and predominantly found in southern Brazil (Table 1) [13]. Despite the introduction of an antivenom therapy in 1994, mortality rates due to Lonomia species continue to occur [14]. The high morbidity and lethality are mainly induced by the development of an acute kidney injury [15].…”

“…The World Health Organization does not report epidemiological data by all classes of venomous animals [28]. It is thus considered that the incidence rate of caterpillar envenomation is under-reported [14]. Moreover, there is a trend towards increased reporting of caterpillar envenomation cases.…”

“…The main cause for this distribution is the observed warmer temperatures during winter and spring [23]. In Brazil, L. obliqua has traveled to neighboring countries, such as the province of Misiones in Argentina [14]. It is believed that this change in distribution is the result of human interventions to deforest the natural habitat.…”