Look out - Caterpillars about!
One of our readers has asked us to warn dog walkers in particular (and everyone else in general) that the wonderful warm and dry weather we have been enjoying has brought out that annual nuisance – the processionary caterpillar – earlier this year.
Apparently they have been seen coming down from the pine trees in the Monda area so are inevitably on the move elsewhere too.
There are still some people who are unaware of the toxic nature of these caterpillars, which are known as procesionaria del pino in Spain (Latin name Thaumetopeoa pityocampa ). They nest in cotton-wool-like cocoons in the pine trees, gorge themselves on the pine needles and then descend in snake-like skeins before burying themselves in the ground to change into harmless moths.
The processions can measure several metres in length and, of course, a wriggling “stick” can be quite fascinating to dogs out for a walk in the woods – and to children or unwary adults.
These apparently innocuous creatures are covered in fine barbed hairs which cause inflammation, irritation and, in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock in humans. A painful rash can last for several weeks. Much worse is the effect on a curious canine whose nose pokes into the hairs or who picks them up on its paws. Once the hairs come into contact with the dog's lips or tongue then the only course of action to to get to the vet without delay. A disturbing number of pets have lost parts of their tongues and even died after a run-in with the processionary caterpillar.
So be warned – stay away from pine woods with your pets until later in the year when the caterpillars will be safely underground and keep a wary eye out for those tell-tale nests in urban areas, they are not confined to the campo!
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