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When thinking of poisonous creatures, caterpillars may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Typically, snakes, spiders, and scorpions are the main animals that are associated with venom. However, it may come as a surprise to many that there are actually hundreds, if not thousands, of species of poisonous caterpillars around the world. Some of these caterpillars have venom potent enough to cause harm or even death to humans. While this may be alarming to some, there is also a potential benefit to studying these creatures – the development of life-saving medications.
Andrew Walker, an evolutionary biologist and biochemist at the University of Queensland, believes that there is a promising opportunity to extract beneficial components from the venom of poisonous caterpillars. However, he also acknowledges that there is still a lot of foundational work that needs to be done in this field. Venoms are incredibly complex and diverse, with each species having its unique arsenal of compounds. This diversity is what makes studying venoms so important, as it can lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic candidates.
Venoms have evolved over millions of years to target specific biological processes in their victims. This natural selection process has resulted in compounds that have been fine-tuned to be effective in nature. By studying these venoms and understanding how they work, scientists can potentially develop medications that target similar biological processes in humans. For example, venom from snakes has inspired treatments for high blood pressure and blood coagulation, while chemicals derived from the venom of a Gila monster have led to the development of blockbuster drugs.
Despite the potential benefits of studying venoms, the majority of venomous creatures remain largely unstudied by biologists. Nicholas Casewell, a venom biologist at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, believes that there is a vast wealth of knowledge waiting to be discovered in the world of venoms. By studying a wide range of venomous animals, researchers can uncover new compounds and pathways that may hold the key to developing life-saving medications.
Caterpillars, in particular, are a group of animals that have been largely overlooked in the study of venoms. Walker estimates that there are a significant number of venomous caterpillar species across the evolutionary tree of Lepidoptera, the order that includes butterflies and moths. While only around 2% of caterpillar species are poisonous, this still represents a substantial public health hazard in certain regions of the world. The venom of deadly caterpillars such as those belonging to the genus Lonomia can disrupt blood coagulation and cause serious harm to humans.
In addition to the immediate health risks posed by venomous caterpillars, there is also a missed opportunity in the development of new medications. Many caterpillar venoms are known to provoke severe pain, which could potentially be used to uncover new pain pathways and develop pain-relief medications. While research on caterpillar venoms is still in its early stages, the potential for discovering novel compounds and pathways is vast.
Advancements in molecular biology and bioinformatics have made it easier than ever to analyze and study the venoms of all creatures, including caterpillars. This has the potential to lead to significant breakthroughs in medical research in the near future. As Casewell puts it, it’s like a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered. By delving deeper into the world of venomous caterpillars, scientists may discover new medications that could save lives and improve human health.
