Description:

Pine Processionary caterpillars – chenilles processionnaires du pin – Thaumetopoea pityocampa


Depending on the outside temperatures, February or March is the time of year to be vigilant for emerging caterpillars. They leave their cocoon in pine trees to move on to the next stage in their lifecycle.  If you see them on the road, try and run over them – obviously making sure you drive safely !

If you are able to reach a nest, carefully remove it by cutting down and dispose of them carefully.  [Make sure you adhere to any local restrictions / regulations]  Be aware that even hairs left in old, disintegrated nests can still cause a skin reaction.

They are dangerous to domestic pets and people as their hairs are extremely urticarious. 

Any contact with the hairs will cause a severe rash to the skin and if they get into mouth or eyes, you should wash with abundant amounts of water and see a doctor as soon as possible.  If you know your cat or dog has had contact – usually through sniffing at them or trying to eat them, again use a shower to rinse the remaining hairs away with copious amounts of water, especially from the mouth, and get to the vet URGENTLY.





They are usually found in pine trees where they emerge at night from their spun web nest to feed on the needles.  They leave this nest when the weather warms up in late Winter to find an area of soft ground to bury themselves and pupate and develop into moths in September.  The cycle starts all over again.

In certain areas they have to be sprayed by helicopter because they have reached levels where they are causing deforestation.

Find out about more Pests in Provence & the Riviera

 

Check out Guide2Coted’Azur for Property in Provence, Places to Stay and Places to Eat on the Riviera, South of France Classifieds and Business Directory and News and What’s On along the Côte d’Azur.