Urticating hair

[BoyFromLA]

This is how I understood about tarantulas’ urticating hairs, correct me if I am wrong:

• Urticating hair is self defense mechanism that NW tarantulas developed / evolved with over time
• Can be thrown into open air by kicking them off from tarantulas’ abdomens / pedipalps
• Can be applied to substrates with webbings to keep any predators away while tarantulas are in vulnerable situations like molting

Therefore, my question is this. Would urticating hair affect exact same species of tarantulas or any other tarantulas? In my opinion, even in rare chances, in wild, not all predators are large birds, big mammals, but exact same species tarantulas can be predators as well. I am so curious about this. Anyone has any inputs, insights, informations, ideas, feel free to share. Thank you in advance to you all keepers out there.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

I wouldn't think so? Maybe it's a physical "barrier" but it wouldn't have the same itchy effects that it has on skin, skin that tarantulas lack.

 

[viper69]

I don't know- but I highly doubt it would affect other Ts. Esp because I haven't always washed out NW setups when a new owner was going in!

However, anything is possible in nature.

 

[Patherophis]

No, tarantula exosceleton is resistant to urticating hairs. If it wasnt, T would cause much more trouble to itself, than to other Ts...

 

[maddog1219]

No, tarantula exosceleton is resistant to urticating hairs. If it wasnt, T would cause much more trouble to itself, than to other Ts...

What about their abdomen tho? It's not made of exoskeleton

 

[KaroKoenig]

What about their abdomen tho? It's not made of exoskeleton

Of course it is. Just thinner.

 

[8 legged]

I don't have any proof, but I can't imagine that other spiders or insects have the necessary receptors or access points to be influenced.

 

[quirinus]

"Tarantula urticating setae are modified setae located on the abdomen or pedipalps, which represent an effective defensive mechanism against vertebrate or invertebrate predators and intruders."
"The UrS penetrate the attacker’s skin or mucous membranes"

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/public...and_terminology_and_implications_for_taxonomy

 

[8 legged]

Thank you for this information!

 

[quirinus]

"Effect of urticating setae on ants:
Of the 15 ants tested, only two succeeded passing through the cylinder covered with silk and urticating setae. One of them succeeded after getting entangled and struggling for 60 minutes to break free. Four other ants returned to the vial immediately after having contact with the molting web, spending at least an hour afterwards grooming themselves. Other ants got entangled with the contaminated individuals, mainly after contacting their distal leg region. SEM micrographs showed that their mandibles and distal leg segments were particularly covered with type I urticating setae [...]"

"Effects of urticating setae on phorid larvae:
We observed that phorid larvae put in contact with a molt web were perforated by type I setae up to the main barbed region of the setae (Figs 31 and 32). The reversed barbed area remained on the outside, preventing the larva from moving freely by getting entangled with other setae and silk threads, thus anchoring the larva. Figures 31 and 32 show a dead phorid larva perforated by many type I setae. During preparation of the material for the photograph, we lifted the larva slightly to show its ventral region. The reversed barbs are missing in nearly all of these setae (Fig. 32), because they were entangled with silk threads and broke when we lifted the larva."

source: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8fe3/d7bd68f0380bd91647bff66f0b3258bcf822.pdf (Page 411-412)

Seems like some insects are vulnerable to setae and some aren't? Maybe the type of setae makes a difference? i did'nt find an answer to that so far.

 

[8 legged]

Yes, now that I'm reading it I can think of a post from a channel (Ants Canada or something like that). There, a dead tarantula was left to an ant colony. Some of the ants died, probably because of the urticating hairs.

Found it: