OVER the past few days I’ve been seeing lines of processionary caterpillars snaking along the paths and tracks near me here in Loubejac.
The warmer weather seems to have sparked them into life as they descend from their web like nests in the pine trees, heading out to track down more food.
Their hairy skin can be a real irritant, especially to inquisitive dogs, and the lines can can stretch over a metre or more.
Comments
6 responses to “Processionary caterpillars on the prowl”
See http://www.duffort.org/lepouchan/index.php?id=24 for a cautionary tale…
It’s worse: they kill dogs. I have those beasts around and burn them with diesel when I see them. If a dog gets their hairs in their lungs they die a painful death.
Hi Ian and Romke, Thanks for both comments, I hope others keep their eyes open and their pets away from the caterpillars.
All the best, Craig
A metre? You’re kidding! I’ve seen them disappear beyond the horizon; well maybe not quite, but for several metres anyway. Ian is right, they can be fatal to dogs. Best keep well clear, or, sadly, squelch them under foot.
If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone!
There’s a kinda ad-hoc programme of eradication for these little buggers.
In recent years and with warmer weather they’ve migrated further and further north.
If a dog decides to try and eat them, which often happens, the flesh in the dog’s tongue dies, necrosis. The animal can’t eat or cool itself (panting) and has to be put down.
They’re awful little critters and the comment from ‘me’ above, well try telling leave ’em alone to your dog. Think.