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.
Yes be warned, my cat nearly died after just sniffing at a chain of these horrible critters.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, most 'experts' think that cats have an innate sense of danger and avoid these caterpillars.
DeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteI had some in my garden one year and I had a serious reaction to them when I got too near when gardening
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI must ask at the Forestry department to see if there is an organised eradication system.
DeleteOh these sound like awful beasties.
ReplyDeleteStand well back
DeleteB 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.
ReplyDeleteThey are only dangerous when they are on the ground or you accidentally dig them up once they've burrowed underground.
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