Setae Coverage in Lepidopteran Larvae

Setae Coverage Of Lepidopteran Larvae

The thermoregulation capabilities of caterpillars are much more restricted when compared with their adult-stage counterparts suggesting an increased vulnerability within the larval stage  to increasing global temperatures brought on by climate change. Primarily used as a physical defence against predation, it is thought that caterpillar setae coverage may influence thermoregulation by providing insulation and reducing the rates of heat loss to the environment. Variations in larval setae coverage my influence range shift distributions of Lepidopteran species in response to increasing global temperatures.

Compiled is a list of various Lepidopteran species which vary in relative larval setae coverage (0 = no visible setae, 1 = setae sparsely distributed, 2 = setae densely distributed). 

Traits were compiled from various primary literature sources where species level setae/hair coverage was described or where photos or diagrams of particular species were provided within the study. Trait values were given to each species as above with relative differences between 1 (body of caterpillar still visible beneath setae) and 2 (body of caterpillar not visible). Where differences in the relative setae coverage between species from given descriptions could not be made, images were referred to from online databases such as GBIF and IUCN.  Accepted species name was cross referenced with given species name using the GBIF database. 

References: 
Ashe-Jepson, E. et al. (2023) 'Day-flying lepidoptera larvae have a poorer ability to thermoregulate than adults', Ecology and Evolution, 13(10) 

Balit, C. R. et al. (2001) 'Outbreak of caterpillar dermatitis caused by airborne hairs of the mistletoe browntail moth (Euproctis edwardsi)', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 175 pp. 641-643.

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Goldman, L. et al. (1959) 'Investigative studies of skin irritations from caterpillars', Journal of Investigative Dermatology, pp. 67-79.

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Packard, A. S. (1894) 'A Study of the Transformations and Anatomy of Lagoa crispata, a Bombycine Moth', Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 32(143) pp. 275-292.

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Tyzzer, E. E. (1907) 'The Pathology of the Brown-Tail Moth Dermatitis', Journal of Medical Research, 16(1) pp. 43-64.

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