Caterpillars at karsiyaka army base

[Whatarotty]

All people who visit the base please be aware my husband just took photos of 6 nests with all caterpillars alive and moving. They were at different locations and not by the trees, one was actually found down by the harbour....please beaware for yourselves and your dogs!

[Toftsv]

Why are they dangerous????

Peter.

[Whatarotty]

Very!!! There is another thread on here about them from KAR, dogs have lost part of tongues and lists of life just by sniffing them, it's also very dangerous if you tread on them, the pretty fur like spikes on them if breathed in does so much damage to humans and animals.

[Toftsv]

Blimey !!!! Thanks for the advice.

Will be staying well clear of them for sure.

Peter.

[Whatarotty]

Toftsv here is a link for you: http://www.abacoadvisers.com/spain_expl ... lars-spain

[Toftsv]

Thank you.

Peter.

[Steve C]

They normally nest in pine trees and you can see a big white ball like nest. stay well clear.

[Owl Lady]

Lengthy posting by"Sophie"on 24th Jan, worth reading.

[surfmeetseast]

Look for the post Processionals.It hopefully ends beginning of March. They only nest in the pine trees

[Whatarotty]

The reason I posted is because the nests were not in pine trees or anywhere near them, please be vigilant! The 6 nests in different locations were actually on the ground and no pine trees around.....

[sophie]

Some where around there will have been a pine tree, however, in very strong winds and storms the cocoons can become dislodge from the host tree and can blow quite a long way away. There are even more dangerous variations than we have here i.e. parts of South American.

The "spines" on the caterpillars can under certain circumstances, become dislodged and blow around in the area, causing breathing problems in people who are susceptible or as happened in Belgium caused many people to complain of severe irritation on hands, arms and face. There is also a type of processional caterpillar which lives in Oak trees, so it isn't just pines. Just be vigilant, try and get them safely down from your trees and burn the little "ooops".

Also remember, the more birds the "hunters" kill, the worse the problem will become.

[Whatarotty]

Well said Sophie!!

[Owl Lady]

IMO the more hunters who kill each other the better!!