Pine Processionary Caterpillars
Pine processionary caterpillar
The title may sound a little dramatic even OTT, but in truth these cute and harmless-looking caterpillars pose a real danger to people and pets.
Since moving to Portugal I have developed an unexplained desire to learn more about the insects I find in our garden. I like, no NEED, to know are they friend or foe!
When we first arrived in Portugal we noticed our neighbour had several cocoon like nests in his pine trees. We were soon to discover they were home to hundreds of caterpillars which when they descended from the nest, marched nose-to-tail in a procession along our garden wall until they disappeared into the soft soil. We were told they were called Pine Processioanry Caterpillars but little did we know then, how dangerous they were!
The silken cocoon nest of the Processionary Caterpillar
Please read on and you will understand why coming into contact with pine processionary caterpillars may have such terrible consequences.
Where are they found?
Pine processionary caterpillars are found in Southern Europe, anywhere there are pine trees.
The caterpillars live in silken spun cocoon nests attached to branches in the pine tree. These cocoons can accommodate hundreds of
caterpillars which once developed will descend from the nest in late winter/early spring. On leaving the nest they proceed nose-to-tail (like a procession) as they go in search of soft soil in which to burrow and pupate, before changing into harmless moths.
So why are they so dangerous?
The adult caterpillar is approximately 3cm long and covered in tiny brittle barbed hairs which are constantly being shed.
Because their hairs are airborne they may inadvertently be ingested simply by picking the caterpillar up, stepping on it or attempting to move them out-of-the-way.
Symptoms and what to do
The hairs, when they come into contact with the skin, can cause severe skin irritations and if ingested possibly even cause Anaphylaxic shock. If you do come into contact with these caterpillars and you develop an itchy rash, seek medical advice.
Treatment
Danger to humans is mainly if you are allergic and/or asthmatic and it is recommended that inhalers are always close to hand and always have antihistamines in stock (available in Chemists without a prescription). Itchy rashes and skin rashes are common if humans come into contact with the caterpillars. Take an antihistamine tablet i.e. Piriton, Claritin, Citizirine 10mg etc. immediately. Again, drink plenty of orange juice if you are affected and keep all windows and doors closed as much as possible if the trees are close by your home.
Dogs and Cats
When dogs and cats get to close to the caterpillars they may pick up hairs in their paws which they then lick, and therefore ingest with potentially catastrophic consequences including death. The symptoms of ingestion may include swelling, vomiting and excessive drooling. Check for small white spots on the tongue and in the mouth. If dogs or cats eat these caterpillars the consequences can be fatal so if your pets come into contact with processionary caterpillars do seek veterinary advice immediately.
Treatment
You need to contact your Vet urgently. I have been advised you can help by always having in stock Predisolene tablets – In Portugal these are called Lepicortinolo Prednisolona available from Chemists in Portugal without a prescription (cost for packet of 60 – 20mg strength approx. 7 euros) – these range in strength from 5mg to 20mg – an immediate tablet of 20mg is recommended followed by fresh orange juice syringed down your pets throat (or orange Vit C tablets squashed with water). Also give your pet an antihistamine tablet immediately.
The vet will give your pet an antibiotic and may put them on a saline drip depending on the severity. In some cases partial amputation of the tongue is the only course of action.
Processionary caterpillars march nose-to-tail
Finally a few useful tips
Do not attempt to remove the nests as hairs may be released which may then come into contact with the skin or even ingested.
Do not burn the nests as hairs may be released into the air.
Do not attempt to move a procession of caterpillars as this will spread their hairs.
Do not allow dogs and cats near the nests or caterpillar Curiosity killed the cat.
Do contact your local Camara (local council) to see what their policy is regarding removal of nests, especially if they are in an urbanisation
If you do not have any luck with your local Camara I have been advised the treatment to get rid of the caterpillars/moths is Pheramone traps, glue bands, insecticidal spray, etc which you can obtain from Biosani.
My thanks to Paws2Claws Pet Boarding who has shared much of the above information and the great pictures
Have you seen these caterpillars?
Please share any information or actual personal experiences!
Wow! Creepy crawlers! So have you found a solution? And what can you do to protect your property if your neighbor is the one with the cocoons?
Hi Margaret,
Hopefully, someone will have the answer!
Piglet
We’ve heard about these wee beasties from ex-pats in France, too. They sound really horrible, or rather, their side effects do!
Hi LW,
Yes, they are quite scary but OK if you respect them and give them a wide berth. Holiday makers/golfers need to be aware of these, as you say wee beasties, especially if they go for walks in the pine forests at certain times of the year.
Hello. I´m Portuguese, from Lisbon. I have been reading your blog for some time now…thank you for all the messages.
but sure was a lesson. Thank you!
This time I have my own story about this insect, Processionaria, how we call it in Portuguese. well when I was a little boy back in the 80´s my father brought us a pine tree branch as our Christmas tree for that year. We were all very happy at our living room decorating the tree when all of a sudden my mother said that she had her hand burning because she had taken a fur ball (the nest) from one branch of the tree. I can´t remember if there was actually any animal there. The Only think I know was that my father said “É da lagarta do pinheiro” (it´s the caterpillar) and he took everything from the tree all off a sudden and went out and put fire to the tree. A very sad story for the Christmas ahead lol
Jaime
Hi Jaime,
There are so many newcomers to Portugal who are not even aware of the hazards these caterpillars pose! In this case ignorance is not bliss…
Thanks for sharing your story! Your poor Mother must have been in a lot of pain
Piglet
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Hi Pip,
Glad we could help with your research and it is great that you are bringing this to peoples’ attention; a lot of expats in Portugal don’t seem to realise they exist!
When we decided to continue our successful pet boarding in this part of Portugal we wanted to buy a house deep in the heart of the country. We found our dream home but one downfall was that this was on the edge of a lovely mixed forest with some pine trees and have spent the last few years eradicating these beasties completely, but continue to take precautions. This is the company to buy from if your Camera or local Cooperativa Agricola can’t assist. You need a Pheramone trap, Pheramone capsules, Glue Bands and Turex insecticide spray. If anyone wants any further info, drop us a line. Details can be found here (they do reply to emails and speak English):
http://proteccaointegrada.biosani.com/defaultCategoryViewOne.asp?categoryID=369
Good Luck with your Blog Pip, it really is very enjoyable to read! Best wishes Val
http://www.paws2claws.webs.com
Hi Val,
Thanks for your help!
Information from people with personal experience of the problems these caterpillars can cause both to pets and humans is invaluable and far better than theory
Kind regards
PIP
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Re caterpillars, we have small brown caterpillars on the patio they have spikes with orange tips and on closer inspection short tufts out of the orange tip. They are singular not in a line and have noticed them over the last week. Can anyone shed any light on these creatures please.
Hi Denise,
I think processionary caterpillars should be gone by now?
As for Proc caterpillars not in a line, we have found that the odd one has lost its way and appeared just by itself.
Do they look like this?
http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/weekly-photo-challenge-spring/
If you email the photo I will post it for you
Cheers
PiP
Wow! It’s always the small things that pose the greatest danger. I love the name though: processionary – sounds so poetic!
Hi Lindsay,
These wee beasties are anything but poetic
I thought they were rather cute when I first saw them all marching along head-to-toe. I wonder how they decide who takes the lead?
Just read this and wanted to thank you for sharing information I hope never to need! But living on the edge of a forest, with a dog, there’s unfortunately always a chance that I might. I’d heard of these nasty critters and how harmful they can be but wouldn’t have known what to do about them. I do now!
I had no idea they were so dangerous. It was not until I researched this article I realised how lethal these cute litttle critters actually were!