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 "
Young Grammostola rosea showing patch of urticating hairs, reflecting a camera flash
Urticating hairs of a stinging nettle
The larvae of Eutricha capensis (family Lasiocampidae) are practically covered with urticating hairs; the most potent are the stiff, short, orange-maroon bands across the thorax.
Larva of Lonomia obliqua, the most toxicologically-significant species, to mammals, of its genus; stings are a medical emergency and require treatment with antivenom.
The brown-tail moth is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is native to Europe, neighboring countries in Asia, and the north coast of Africa. Descriptions of outbreaks, i.e., large population increases
Euproctis chrysorrhoea 1
Caterpillar, dorsal view, showing two red dots near tail