For people in north Queensland, a bright green caterpillar’s sting ‘feels like the seven rings of hell’. But scientists in Brisbane hope its tox

Bugs, drugs and electric venom: is this the most deadly library in the world?

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2024-06-22 13:00:06

For people in north Queensland, a bright green caterpillar’s sting ‘feels like the seven rings of hell’. But scientists in Brisbane hope its toxin can be used to heal, not harm

The devil arrived at Andrew Walker’s laboratory in a cardboard box. Its fluorescent green body, covered in a thicket of menacing spikes, was adorned at both ends with a pair of black horns.

For residents of north-east Queensland, this devil – scientific name Comana monomorpha – is known as the electric caterpillar. Its sting, typically received while tending to lilly-pillies in the garden, is exceptionally painful.

The venom causes a nasty welt and a considerable rash that can last for a week. It’s so bad that some victims have spent a night in an emergency department. Health professionals treating afflicted people were seeing swelling, blood-filled boils and welts – but they could find nothing to help ease the pain.

But where unlucky gardeners see an enemy, Walker sees a potential ally. “Caterpillars are my favourite venomous animal at the moment,” he says.