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Giant Silkworm Moth (Lonomia obliqua)
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Description: The Lonomia obliqua or Giant Silkworm Moth is a species of Saturniid moth from South America. Lonomia obliqua is found in the south of Brazil in the States of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina & Paran. The species is spreading to the southeast of Brazil, & recent accidents with the species were reported in the states of So Paulo, Rio de Janeiro & Minas Gerais. Lonomia obliqua is also found in Uruguay, Paraguay & Argentina. The Lonomia obliqua is famous for its larvae form, rather than the adult moth. The Lonomia obliqua caterpillar has a spine-covered back filled with venom, & has been responsible for several deaths. These caterpillars are 4.5 - 5.5 cm (2 in) in length, with background colors ranging from green to brown. Well camouflaged, they have rows of tubercles crowned with whorls of easily detachable spines of different sizes. At the base of each spine is a sack where the toxins are stored. When the stems & needles penetrate a victims skin, venom flows through the hollow needles & into the puncture wound. The hemorrhagic diathesis caused in humans by touching the Lonomia species begins with inflammatory changes at the site of envenoming, followed by systemic symptoms such as headache, fever, vomiting & malaise. After 24 hours, a severe bleeding disorder ensues, leading to ecchymosis, hematuria, pulmonary & intracranial hemorrhages, acute renal failure, coma & death. The venom of the Lonomia obliqua larvae is one of the strongest anti-clotting agents ever found in nature. This anti-clotting agent attaches with another protein to the bodys cells & cause them to leak as blood is unable to clot. This internal bleeding fills the surrounding tissue with bruised blood, that spreads to the internal organs & eventually leads to compression & brain death. This accounts for the minimum of 500 deaths as a result of contact with Lonomia.
Uploaded By: femcat38
Date: 10/18/2011
Views: 935
