Processional caterpillars in UK (1 Viewer)

[reckless]

Edit: should be processionary caterpillars

These nasty creatures have reached London and the Home Counties.

They inhabit oak trees and will be descending and visible on the ground during May.

You and especially your dog can get a very bad reaction if you come into contact with the hairs so watch your pooches carefully and keep your eyes peeled.

The forestry commission is treating affected trees.

Karen

 

[Minxy]

They do look 'cute' and that's part of the problem especially for kids who want to stroke them. I do hope they managed to eradicate them.

 

[Hollyberry]

In France they live in pine trees, so not sure if this is same species / they've adapted ? They're still vile though. If you look up in trees and see white / off white puffballs --- they're the catetpillars.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Eeyore]

Not the same species but equally nasty. See:

Broken Link Removed

Thanks for the warning.

 

[JJ]

I say, "Live and let live..."

Humans have "eradicated" enough wild life already.

JJ

 

[sdc77]

I say, "Live and let live..."

Humans have "eradicated" enough wild life already.

JJ

To be honest I'm more worried for my dog ....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tootles]

My God, fancy finding one of those on your lawn first thing!!

 

[Minxy]

My God, fancy finding one of those on your lawn first thing!!

View attachment 104219

OOooooooo .... yes please .... want one!!!

 

[reckless]

My God, fancy finding one of those on your lawn first thing!!

You'd have a line of up to 30 of them, nose to tail

If they're like their Spanish cousins, they can't see, this is why they form processions I think.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[parknride]

These cheeky beggars took my welcome to include them!! This was in benicassim in April, we had a couple of pine trees on our pitch and a fair few caterpillars. Luckily Dolly the cat seemed to act like a pointer when she saw them and we got the hairspray on the caterpillars before cremating them. Can be pretty drastic if your pet gets into contact with them.

 

[Minxy]

View attachment 104362

These cheeky beggars took my welcome to include them!! This was in benicassim in April, we had a couple of pine trees on our pitch and a fair few caterpillars. Luckily Dolly the cat seemed to act like a pointer when she saw them and we got the hairspray on the caterpillars before cremating them. Can be pretty drastic if your pet gets into contact with them.

... I know they're hairy but I think making their 'hair' look good by and putting hairspray on them is a bit OTT.

 

[pappajohn]

... I know they're hairy but I think making their 'hair' look good by and putting hairspray on them is a bit OTT.

I think their day job is an undertaker though.

After using hair spray to make them look good they proceeded to cremate them.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[parknride]

Job?? What is this word?

We were told the hairspray traps the hairs which the caterpillars throw out when threatened. Presumably with cans of sunsilk...........

 

[Eeyore]

It will also, if you do a good enough job coating them in hairspray, suffocate them as they breathe through pairs of tiny openings along the side of their body.

 

[parknride]

It will also, if you do a good enough job coating them in hairspray, suffocate them as they breathe through pairs of tiny openings along the side of their body.

Have you seen the price of hairspray???

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Eeyore]

Have you seen the price of hairspray???

New dogs don't come cheap either...

 

[Tootles]

Have you seen the price of hairspray???

Have you seen the price of HAIR???

 

[parknride]

New dogs don't come cheap either...

Yes, forgive me, was just being flippant. I do know they are a serious threat so maybe it was in bad taste on my part.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Eeyore]

Yes, forgive me, was just being flippant. I do know they are a serious threat so maybe it was in bad taste on my part.

Ditto ! I'm not a dog owner but, the first time I encountered processionary caterpillars ( trod on a procession, in the dark, in Portugal) ID read so much about them that I went into a complete panic and almost destroyed my shoes I washed a scrubbed them so much. If I had a dog, or small child , and was somewhere they were a threat I think I'd even carry hairspray with me ( Tesco Everyday cheapo natch).

 

[parknride]

I don't even use it on my hair. It could come in handy - if it got in your eyes for example, so I keep a can beside my bed in the van. Just in case the "cat erpillar burglars come calling"