The research is about one specific caterpillar with a venomous sting.

We used to get spitfire bugs here - I'm not sure what their scientific name is but they look as jazzy as those ones referred to in the article. In fact, I suspect they might be related. If one was disturbed it would spit venom and it hurt like heck for days, as I recall. I haven't seen them here for years. They could be used as an alternative to capsicum spray because they would deter even the toughest, most determined criminals or muggers.