urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, an Australian processionary caterpillar of veterinary importance
The bag‐shelter moth, Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich‐Schaffer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), is associated with a condition called equine amnionitis and fetal loss (EAFL) on horse farms in Australia. Setal fragments from O. lunifer larvae have been identified in the placentas of experimentally aborted fe...
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Published in | Medical and veterinary entomology Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 241 - 245 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford, UK
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.06.2016
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The bag‐shelter moth, Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich‐Schaffer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), is associated with a condition called equine amnionitis and fetal loss (EAFL) on horse farms in Australia. Setal fragments from O. lunifer larvae have been identified in the placentas of experimentally aborted fetuses and their dams, and in clinical abortions. The gregarious larvae build silken nests in which large numbers cohabit over spring, summer and autumn. The final instars disperse to pupation sites in the ground where they overwinter. Field‐collected O. lunifer larvae, their nests and nearby soil were examined using light and electron microscopy to identify setae likely to cause EAFL and to determine where and how many were present. Microtrichia, barbed hairs and true setae were found on the exoskeletons of the larvae. True setae matching the majority of setal fragments described from equine tissue were found on third to eighth instar larvae or exuviae. The number of true setae increased with the age of the larva; eighth instars carried around 2.0–2.5 million true setae. The exuvia of the pre‐pupal instar was incorporated into the pupal chamber. The major sources of setae are likely to be nests, dispersing pre‐pupal larvae and their exuviae, and pupal chambers. |
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Bibliography: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mve.12156 ArticleID:MVE12156 Hunter Valley Equine Research Foundation (HVERF) Collaboration Industry Engagement Fund (CIEF) University of Queensland Australian Research Council (ARC) - No. LP 140100687 ark:/67375/WNG-XC6DBTFP-9 Figure S1. Types of nest built by Ochrogaster lunifer larvae. (A) Canopy nest. (B) Trunk nest. (C) Tree-hugger nest. (D) Hanging nest. (E) Ground nest. Figure S2. Ochrogaster lunifer pupa and its pupal chamber (opened to show the exuvia of the final instar larva inside). Figure S3. (A) Egg mass of Ochrogaster lunifer and second instar larvae. (B) The abdominal tuft scales and barbed filaments comprising the egg mass into which the female lays her eggs. istex:EEFC6C871372A2CAE4D35EAD8C7D7A08B1D17447 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0269-283X 1365-2915 |
DOI: | 10.1111/mve.12156 |