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Processionary Caterpillars

Thaumetopoea pityocampa

Photo by Cyprus Lady
Published on Project Noah
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34.6895, 33.0299

Field Notes

Description:

These Processionary caterpillars were on their way into my garage where they would be trapped and unable to leave. They are known to cause extreme irritation, and since I have dogs and cats I was keen to collect them and take them elsewhere! They marched into the box where they spiralled until the last one was in. I was then able to drive the box a safe distance away and leave them near a pine tree.

Habitat:

Pine trees in Cyprus

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

Oh terrible, that must be a nightmare when thousands of them fall on you :(!
Yeah my friend had a nest load fall on him! He had a terrible reaction - blisters galore!
Crazy caterpillars, super full of HCOOH, I had so many burns made by them when I was a kid because they are leaving this acid all around, on the plants they walk and when I would play on the meadow I would be full of this "bubbles" that are formed after when the acid touches the skin. They are considered as a very very obnoxious insects and can destroy many trees!
That is something to see for sure! So strange how they form a line.
Photographed
PublishedApril 7, 2013

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