Lonomia obliqua | |
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Lonomia obliqua larva | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Saturniidae |
Genus: | Lonomia |
Species: | L. obliqua
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Binomial name | |
Lonomia obliqua Walker, 1855
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Lonomia obliqua is a species of saturniid moth ("giant silk moth") from South America.[1] It is famous for its larval form, rather than the adult moth, primarily because of the caterpillar's defense mechanism, urticating bristles that inject a potentially deadly venom. The caterpillar has been responsible for many human deaths, especially in southern Brazil. Its venom has been the subject of numerous medical studies.[2] The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1855. Guinness World Records classified Lonomia obliqua as the most venomous caterpillar in the world.[3]