If you live here in Spain, you need to be aware of a dangerous and often deadly critter known as the Pine Processionary Caterpillar (Thaumetopoea Pityocampa).
Unlike the vast majority of caterpillars, this particular species can be harmful to young children and sometimes fatal to dogs and cats.
Many dog owners have lost their pets after coming into contact with the caterpillars so you must be familiar with them and the potential dangers.
In early spring, the processionary caterpillars leave their nests high up in the Mediterranean pine trees and head to the ground to pupate. When this happens, they potentially come into contact with young children and curious pets.
In early spring, the processionary caterpillars leave their nests high up in the Mediterranean pine trees and head to the ground to pupate. When this happens, they potentially come into contact with young children and curious pets.
The processionary caterpillar is mostly found in wooded forests and can be identified by the thousands of small fine poisonous hairs or bristles that cover their bodies.
The caterpillars are 3-4cm in length and are usually an orange and brown colour.
The name ‘processionary’ comes from the fact that they create a procession or caterpillar style ‘conga’ from head to tail to form a long chain. It is not unheard of to see chains with hundreds of them all joined together.
In recent years, Europe has seen a big increase in numbers with Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium experiencing plague-like infestations.
The caterpillars can often be found in oak trees, which is where they were first discovered in the UK in 2006. However, here in Spain, they are more commonly found in pine trees which of course are a frequent sight.
The caterpillars are not only extremely toxic and therefore dangerous to anyone who comes into contact with them, they are also responsible for the destruction of the pine trees they inhabit.
Their nests are like tents and are usually found high up in the pine trees. The larvae (caterpillar) are considered to be real forest pests and will frequently come out at night and feed on the pine’s leaves.
When the larvae are ready to pupate between late winter, and early spring, they will march single file down the tree to the ground where they disperse looking for somewhere to continue their life cycle, often burrowing just below the surface.
Unfortunately, you don’t have to visit a forest to put yourself in harm’s way. Many of the parks and communal areas in Spain feature pine trees meaning that you can just as easily find them in urban areas.
Although many of the local councils will spray down the local municipal parks to prevent their spread, this isn’t always enough to keep them completely at bay.
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