Thread: Pine Processional Caterpillars

[QUOTE=dunmovin;22143]I can't be sure about this but a local vet said they prefer the younger trees (less than 2 mts tall) and advised that if we had any like that ..get rid of them. /QUOTE]


Thats not true. I have seen them at the top of a tree that was 15 metres tall
CD

It is now April 3rd, and we still are seeing a lot of these nasty f@ckers crawling around in Plana Novella. Don't they check the calendar?!?

We found two on our front door yesterday and we don't have any pines nearby. It was windy last night, and the two were a bit smaller than normal. I wonder if they blow in the wind?

It really takes the fun out of a walk with our dog, as we keep her on a short leash all the time... not fun for a Labrador!

We do love this area, but I can't believe such a creature exists

keatsfan

Originally Posted by Thader

As I saw the first nests of the year last night whilst walking the dog, I felt it was time to resurrect this thread again..The post by floriana at the top of page 2 includes photos, and explaines how dangerous it is to walk dogs in area with pine trees from now until the end of march.

They sure are nasty wee blighters ! on a recent trip to the High Alpujarras I saw the damage they are doing up there. I don't the authorities have a fool proof way of dealing with them. Some seem to spray the trees at certain time, some put up pheromone traps, some doing nothing it seems.

At the beginning of March, we were inundated with them...However the local Council, trimmed the trees, and sprayed the ground and I haven't seen any since, although I still won't let the dog go near the pines just yet.
CD

Well, now I just had my first encounter with the Megarian Banded centipede (does that sound like Star Trek?!). He ran right over my foot and I guess I am lucky to have not been bitten, as they are supposed to be quite aggressive. And as I was trying to squash him, he did really come after me.

So killer caterpillars and centipedes that attack! Any more surprises in store for us in Spain?!?!

keatsfan

Originally Posted by keatsfan

It is now April 3rd, and we still are seeing a lot of these nasty f@ckers crawling around in Plana Novella. Don't they check the calendar?!?

We found two on our front door yesterday and we don't have any pines nearby. It was windy last night, and the two were a bit smaller than normal. I wonder if they blow in the wind?

It really takes the fun out of a walk with our dog, as we keep her on a short leash all the time... not fun for a Labrador!

We do love this area, but I can't believe such a creature exists

keatsfan

Had no idea they are that aggressive. I really don't want to find out the hard way if I'm allergic or not.
Some people hold them even in terrariums for fun which remindes me of Hannibal Lecter

Found some other friends in Spain: [URL="http://www.iberianature.com/material/bitesandstings.html#mammal"]