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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #365416
Research Project: Develop Pest Management Technologies and Strategies to Control the Coffee Berry Borer

Location: Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory

Title: Poisonous setae structure on a Baltic amber caterpillar

Author
item Vega, Fernando
item POINAR, GEORGE - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Arthropod Structure and Development
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2019
Publication Date: 8/12/2019
Citation: Vega, F.E., Poinar, G. 2019. Poisonous setae structure on a Baltic amber caterpillar. Arthropod Structure and Development. 51:37–40.

Interpretive Summary: The setae on a small caterpillar preserved in Baltic amber were studied and characterized as urticating with evidence of liquid release implying the production of a poison. The setal responses to a disturbance is the first report of poisonous setal behavior in a fossil insect. The finding will be of interest to entomologists and ecologists.

Technical Abstract: The knobbed setae on a small caterpillar in Baltic amber were studied and characterized as urticating with evidence of liquid release implying the production of a poison. It is presumed that the caterpillar had been disturbed just previous to falling in the resin and some of its setae showed defensive responses. The swollen tips of setae are equipped with “trip hairs” and when disturbed, the tips release liquid deposits, some of which contain rod-like bodies. The setal responses to a disturbance is the first report of poisonous setal behavior in a fossil insect.