Animal venoms are viewed as one of the best sources for new molecules with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and science. But curiously, despite extensive studies of the venoms produced by snakes, lizards and spiders, next to nothing is known about the structure, chemistry, and mode of action of insect venoms, most of which remain completely uncharacterized to this day.

A team of scientists based at the University of Queensland sought to remedy this oversight. Inspired by their previous research into the venom of an Australian caterpillar, Doratifera vulnerans (ref), the team investigated the venoms of two species of asp caterpillars, Megalopyge opercularis and Megalopyge crispata.

There are 11 species of asp caterpillars, most of which resemble a fluffy cotton ball — or in some cases, a tiny version of Donald Trump’s toupee. They are native to North America where they are often found grazing on the leaves of oak or elm trees. But hidden within their fluff are sharp spines. These spines deliver a venom that sparks inflammation and excruciating pain that has been likened to blunt-force trauma or burning by the tip of a lit cigarette, a sensation that lasts for several days, at least. In some cases, the venom may provoke headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. Although a sting from one of these caterpillars won’t actually kill a person, it often requires a trip to the hospital, possibly because the pain it causes may make its victim wish to die.

Asp caterpillars are the larval form of flannel moths, which are small, extremely fluffy (and non venomous) moths. Of all the asp caterpillar species, perhaps the most notorious for stinging people is Megalopyge opercularis, the larval form of the southern flannel moth.

Animal venoms are viewed as one of the best sources for new molecules with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and science. But curiously, despite extensive studies of the venoms produced by snakes, lizards and spiders, next to nothing is known about the structure, chemistry, and mode of action of insect venoms, most of which remain completely uncharacterized to this day.

A team of scientists based at the University of Queensland sought to remedy this oversight. Inspired by their previous research into the venom of an Australian caterpillar, Doratifera vulnerans (ref), the team investigated the venoms of two species of asp caterpillars, Megalopyge opercularis and Megalopyge crispata.

There are 11 species of asp caterpillars, most of which resemble a fluffy cotton ball — or in some cases, a tiny version of Donald Trump’s toupee. They are native to North America where they are often found grazing on the leaves of oak or elm trees. But hidden within their fluff are sharp spines. These spines deliver a venom that sparks inflammation and excruciating pain that has been likened to blunt-force trauma or burning by the tip of a lit cigarette, a sensation that lasts for several days, at least. In some cases, the venom may provoke headache, nausea, and shock-like symptoms. Although a sting from one of these caterpillars won’t actually kill a person, it often requires a trip to the hospital, possibly because the pain it causes may make its victim wish to die.

Asp caterpillars are the larval form of flannel moths, which are small, extremely fluffy (and non venomous) moths. Of all the asp caterpillar species, perhaps the most notorious for stinging people is Megalopyge opercularis, the larval form of the southern flannel moth.