Bristles on plants and animals that cause physical irritation when embedded
Young Grammostola rosea showing patch of urticating hairs, reflecting a camera flash
Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genus Urtica), and bristles that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in several families. This term also refers to certain types of barbed bristles that cover the dorsal and posterior surface of a tarantula's or caterpillar's abdomen. Many tarantula species eject bristles from their abdomens, directing them toward potential attackers. These bristles can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes, causing physical irritation, usually to great discomfort. The term "hairs" is technically a misnomer, as only mammals possess true hairs.[1] The scientific term for plant hairs is trichomes.
^Shultz, Stanley; Shultz, Marguerite (2009). The Tarantula Keeper's Guide. Hauppauge, New York: Barron's. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-7641-3885-0.
Urticatinghairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various...
pet trade. Many New World species kept as pets have setae known as urticatinghairs that can cause irritation to the skin, and in extreme cases, cause...
(botany) Seta Urticatinghair "Identify That Alga". Retrieved September 20, 2013. Payne, Willard W. (1978). "A Glossary of Plant Hair Terminology". Brittonia...
all closely related tarantula species, they defend themselves with urticatinghair when provoked. The Mexican fireleg resembles its better-known relative...
are bristles associated with venom glands. These bristles are called urticatinghairs. A venom which is among the most potent defensive chemicals in any...
hair, opposite to the main barbs. These unique urticatinghairs were put in a new type of urticatinghair, type VII. They were considered to have evolved...
The urticatinghairs disperse into the air, causing irritation and itching when in contact with predator's skin or eyes. The urticatinghairs also act...
predator. The larvae, partly the adult butterflies, are covered with urticatinghair. These release poison if you come in contact with them and can trigger...
with their hind legs and release hairs that are a severe irritant to the skin and mucous membranes. These urticatinghairs can be harmful to humans. Like...
considerably darker. This species has urticatinghairs like many New World tarantulas, but lacks any stridulating hairs on their chelicerae. The Texas tan...
causing the species to affect forests progressively further north. The urticatinghairs of the caterpillar larvae cause harmful (and in some cases allergic)...
All species of tarantula (in addition to chelicerae, some also have urticatinghairs) Of more than a thousand known species of scorpion, only a few dozen...
converted with sulfuric acid to formic acid and sodium sulfate. The urticatinghair of stinging nettles contain sodium formate as well as formic acid....
entirely black. Although like most new world tarantulas it possesses urticatinghairs, if provoked, they would much rather flee than attack. Their venom...
hickory, maple, oak, poplar, and rose bushes. and possess numerous urticatinghairs, from which they derive their common name. "Stinging Rose Caterpillar...
are a human irritant because of their venomous setae (specifically urticatinghairs), which can cause skin irritation and asthma. The species was first...
alternating bristles and haired projections. Many tussock moth caterpillars have urticatinghairs (often hidden among longer, softer hairs), which can cause...
eaten raw, like berries, if care is taken to avoid the hairs inside the fruit. These urticatinghairs are used as itching powder. A few rose species are sometimes...
striking coloration. They are usually somewhat defensive, and their urticatinghairs can be quite irritating to human skin, as with most other tarantulas...
that have sequestered toxic chemicals from host plants or have sharp urticatinghair or spines, display aposematic colouration and markings. Caterpillars...
mechanism of this spider is to use its back legs to flick urticatinghairs from its abdomen. These hairs are microbarbed and can cause irritation of the skin...
red and white tarantula is reputed to be quite defensive with its urticatinghairs. The Brazilian red and white tarantula is found in the tropical forests...
Ephebopus will brush urticatinghairs from their bodies. Uniquely, rather than being located on the abdomen, Ephebopus urticatinghairs are located on the...
trade. It is very reluctant to bite when distressed, but possesses urticatinghair and will flick these if it feels threatened. [citation needed] It was...
some tarantulas have barbed bristles called urticatinghairs. Certain caterpillars also have urticatinghairs. Centipedes also possess a venomous bite rather...
their tunnels, and although a new world species, they cannot throw urticatinghairs. They only live in the forest "Dolichothele diamantinensis Care". The...
and most of the rest of the body bear urticatinghairs that secrete an irritating venom. Contact with the hairs causes a painful, swollen rash and sometimes...
urticatinghairs from a patch on their abdomen; these hairs are covered in barbs which irritate the skin and put off potential predators. These hairs...
Global Information