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Poisonous setae on a Baltic amber caterpillar.

George Poinar1, Fernando E Vega2

  • 1Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.

Arthropod Structure & Development
|August 4, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Fossil caterpillars from Eocene Baltic amber possessed urticating, poisonous setae. These specialized defensive structures released liquid when disturbed, representing the earliest known evidence of such mechanisms in fossil insects.

Keywords:
Baltic amberCaterpillarLepidopteraPoisonous setae

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Insect Morphology

Background:

  • Ancient insects preserved in amber offer unique insights into prehistoric life.
  • Caterpillars utilize various defense mechanisms, including specialized setae.
  • Urticating setae are known in extant insects for delivering irritants or toxins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the knobbed setae of a fossil caterpillar from Eocene Baltic amber.
  • To investigate evidence of defensive liquid release from these setae.
  • To establish the earliest fossil record of poisonous setal defense mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic examination of knobbed setae on a fossil caterpillar.
  • Analysis of setal morphology, including swollen tips and "trip hairs".
  • Observation of potential liquid deposits and rod-like bodies within the setae.

Main Results:

  • The studied setae were identified as urticating, featuring swollen tips with "trip hairs".
  • Evidence suggests liquid release from the setae upon disturbance, indicating poison production.
  • These findings represent the first fossil evidence of poisonous setal defense in insects.

Conclusions:

  • The Eocene caterpillar employed a sophisticated chemical defense mechanism involving poisonous setae.
  • This discovery pushes back the known evolutionary history of urticating setae.
  • Fossil insects provide crucial data for understanding ancient defense strategies.