I have searched the books and net, to come up with more comprehensive information on them. I must thank the various holiday companies for helping with some of the technical information, writes Jan Cobley.
I know of dogs who have lost their tongues to these beasts and it is not a pretty sight and so distressing. There seems to be little local information about them, there are companies in the Algarve which will spray the pine trees where they live.
Pine processionary caterpillars (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) exit their nests in pine trees in the late winter/early spring and form conspicuous snakelike lines.
They will not be far from a pine tree, but that does not mean that you will only see them in large pine woods, they are just as likely to be found in villages and road side plantings in fact wherever pine trees are present.
As a moth it has no means of causing us harm, it is only during its development as a caterpillar that you need to be cautious of this small creature. The moths seek out pine trees in the warm summer nights, lay clusters of eggs on the pine needles and so the process begins.
There are various growth stages to these caterpillars, where they gorge on pine needles, shed their skins and double in size. This growth occurs during the winter when they disperse through the tree at night to feed, thereby avoiding predation, and collect in communal nests by day to increase their warmth and ability to digest. Note that the white ‘candyfloss like’ nests are cleverly positioned for maximum sunshine.
The time for them to leave the nest in preparation for the next part of their lifecycle varies with temperature, spanning from January in warmer areas to April in the cool of the mountains, with a few even falling from the trees during windy weather.
It is as they leave the trees that most people and pets come into contact with the caterpillars, sometimes with very painful consequences.
They are the only caterpillar here to form a long chain, touching nose to tail. This snake-like procession is a real giveaway as to their identity. The line may stretch for a metre or two but if disturbed there could be several smaller groups and scattered individuals. (Each being around 3 to 4cm long).
They have gone through a long feeding phase and will now search for a suitable place to burrow underground where they will undergo major changes, from caterpillar through to a moth - without nourishment.
The danger that they pose to humans and animals is a very simple defence mechanism designed to stop them from becoming a meal themselves. Each caterpillar is covered with tiny barbed hairs, it is these which do us harm. They are constantly being dropped throughout its time as a caterpillar. They are too tiny to see, but cover the branches of the tree where the creatures have been feasting and of course the nests are loaded with them. They are in the air around a heavily infested tree, like a dust cloud.
Direct contact with the Processionary Caterpillar colonies as they disperse, can easily be avoided once you know what to look out for. Inquisitive children, adults and pets must not get too close - it is even said that treading on them in shoes has led to a reaction, as the hairs caught on your shoe can come into contact with your skin later.
When humans come into contact with these hairs, they can cause reactions ranging from mild inflammation and irritation to severe anaphylactic shock. If the hairs contact your skin a rash soon forms which can be incredibly itchy, painful and lasts for as much as three weeks.The worst problems occur if you make contact with the caterpillar directly and ingest the hairs.
If you get any reaction from contact with these insects medical advice should be sought.
Veterinary services have many emergency calls at the time when the caterpillars are migrating to the ground as dogs can get too close to the intriguing procession and may pick up the hairs onto their paws, these irritate and so they lick them. Once the hairs are on the lips/tongue it will induce itching, swelling and possibly vomiting. Look out for the symptoms of small white spots in the mouth and on the tongue, excessive drooling and chomping. In some cases partial amputation of the tongue is the only course of action. As reported before I have seen doggies that have fallen foul of these creatures and it is not pleasant. Fast treatment is imperative.
I hope some of this is useful just file it away in your head and keep your eyes to the ground.
Under no circumstances should you try to handle the caterpillars or their nests. Just take care and monitor where you walk yourself, your children and your animals.
Jan Cobley
Paws 4 Pets
