The Pine Processionary (Thaumatopoea pityocampa) [1]is a moth of the family Thaumetopoeidae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Traumatocampa. It is an abundant species of pine woods in central and southern Europe.
It has cream coloured forewings with brown markings and white hindwings. The species flies from May to July. The larva is a major forest pest, living communally in large "tents", usually in pine trees but occasionally in cedar or larch, marching out at night in single file (hence the common name) to feed on the needles. There are often several such tents in a single tree. When they are ready to pupate, the larvae march in their usual fashion to the ground, where they disperse to pupate singly on or just below the surface. The larvae should never be handled as the abundant hairs on their bodies cause extreme irritation to the skin.
References
http://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/PineProcessionary
- Pet-Amigos.com Processional Pine Caterpillars are Dangerous to you and your pet
http://www.pet-amigos.com/Pet_health.htm#Processional%20Pine%20Caterpillars
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