Urticating Hair
Urticating bristles, i.e. irritating bristles, are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, some New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle", 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 will frequently kick bristles off of their abdomens, directing them toward potential attackers. These bristles can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes, thus inducing physical irritation.
Read more about Urticating Hair: Urticating Bristles in Plants, Urticating Bristles in Lepidoptera, Human Reactions To Urticating Hair Contact
Famous quotes containing the word hair:
“While my hair was still cut straight across my forehead
I played about the front gate, pulling flowers.
You came by on bamboo stilts, playing horse,
You walked about my seat, playing with blue plums.”
—Li Po (701–762)