Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Dog owners beware - the Processionary Pine Caterpillar is on the move


Walking in Hydra today I came across these caterpillars, nose to tail,  on the path. The uninitiated may be tempted to take a closer look but those in the know will give them a wide berth.  These are dastardly creatures which fire dust and spines at you if you get too close. At best this causes an irritation but children and allergic adults can be taken very ill.  If your dog gets near them and shows any signs of discomfort please head straight for the vet. Dogs can sniff the spines up into their nostrils    or walk over the caterpillars and get stung. Once the dog licks its paws, the poison gets into its mouth. This can be fatal or the dog can lose part of its tongue.  So if you are walking in an area with pine trees, look up and see if there are any of the nests in the trees. If so, I'd keep your dog on a short lead and watch where you step.




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10 comments:

  1. Anna17 February 2016 at 15:07

    Yes be warned, my cat nearly died after just sniffing at a chain of these horrible critters.

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    1. BacktoBodrum19 February 2016 at 10:51

      That's interesting, most 'experts' think that cats have an innate sense of danger and avoid these caterpillars.

      Delete
  2. Maryhocam17 February 2016 at 15:43

    Thank you for the information Annie I saw these nests for the first time ever last week on the road to Oren. There were lots of them. I was just told they were caterpillars.

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    1. BacktoBodrum19 February 2016 at 10:52

      I had some in my garden one year and I had a serious reaction to them when I got too near when gardening

      Delete
  3. Rosemary17 February 2016 at 15:46

    I have often seen those nests in Pine Trees, and have wondered what they contained!!! now I know to keep well clear of them - information I am happy to have learnt - thank you.

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    1. BacktoBodrum19 February 2016 at 10:53

      I must ask at the Forestry department to see if there is an organised eradication system.

      Delete
  4. Terra 17 February 2016 at 18:58

    Oh these sound like awful beasties.

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  5. Mark and Jolee19 February 2016 at 05:48

    B to B, I'm so glad you posted this. They are running rampant here on Burgazada. Lots of nests and set to drop to the ground in about a week. We did research on them last year when we saw them. Too bad we have so many strays around that could get hurt.

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    1. BacktoBodrum19 February 2016 at 10:55

      They are only dangerous when they are on the ground or you accidentally dig them up once they've burrowed underground.

      Delete

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