|Home| Info| Community| Business| Beaches| What to do?| Rentals| News| Forum| Blogs| Finance| History| FAQ| Contact|
caterpillas in pine trees
caterpillas in pine trees
woke this morning to see several nests of the caterpillas in pine trees which can kill the tree...anyone know what can be done? I know you are supposed to burn the nests but is there a spray or how do you stop them moving from tree to tree - petroloem jelly around the base perhaps?
any answers welcome
any answers welcome
-
nightrider
Good Morning Martin,
I am asumming that your are refering to the Moth Canterpillar which more or less becomes active this time of year. I attach an article which was in the Algarve Resident last year and additional of a photograph of said pest... which I hope will be of interest. It would appear that the safest method to get rid of these pests is to burn them. I.e. I am never happy with using various pesticides here in the Algarve because some are outlawed in the EU and other countries (yet they still use them here) and of course we have to consider such matters as wildlife and our own pets. Be very careful not to touch these Moth Canterpillars
Nightrider
http://www.portugalresident.com/portuga ... sp?ID=3743
http://troyb.com/photo/gallery/052-36-I ... pillar.htm
I am asumming that your are refering to the Moth Canterpillar which more or less becomes active this time of year. I attach an article which was in the Algarve Resident last year and additional of a photograph of said pest... which I hope will be of interest. It would appear that the safest method to get rid of these pests is to burn them. I.e. I am never happy with using various pesticides here in the Algarve because some are outlawed in the EU and other countries (yet they still use them here) and of course we have to consider such matters as wildlife and our own pets. Be very careful not to touch these Moth Canterpillars
Nightrider
http://www.portugalresident.com/portuga ... sp?ID=3743
http://troyb.com/photo/gallery/052-36-I ... pillar.htm
The Processionary Caterpillar that has ben re-appearing around the wild pine trees recently is similar to the moth caterpillar, slightly darker in colour. These little buggers are poisonous and can cause skin irritation or in some cases serious injuries/allergic reaction depending on how much you are exposed to them.
Last year we had a two-day crackdown on these insects in the Algarve Clube Atlantico, employing several different methods of combat with varying results.
My advice is to use the biological poisons (I just love that term
) available at the local green houses and garden centers for the odd nest of caterpillars or on the processions.
Only if the plague gets out of hand should you resort to the chemical bombs. As these are applied with sprayers directly on the nests and affected pine trees, there is not much risk of causing damage to the sorrounding wildlife. Nevertheless, the residents of the immediate sorrounding area should be made aware that the treatment is being done so that they can close windows and doors.
Cutting down the nests and buring them is NOT advisable unless you want to risk ending up in hospital covered in caterpillar dust (the dust is actually the poisioned hairs the caterpillars eject when threatened) that rains down from the nests.
Whatever method you want to employ, I would strongly recommend hiring a professional to do this work - Garden maintenance companies and pest control companies have the necessary equipment and staff to handle this job.
GENERAL ADVICE:
Processionary Caterpillar are a plague, they have been importet to the Algarve and the dry winter of 2004 has led to an explosion of the caterpillar population during the winter months. They feed, multiply and go into hibernation before spring.
The caterpillars feed on the wild pinetrees and move from tree to tree in a procession that can be up to 50 or 60 caterpillars long.
If you are out and about and you see one of these nests, do not remain underneath the tree, the dust that can be shaken loose by a gust of wind can cause irritation or allergic reaction.
If you see a procession of caterpillars on the ground, do not touch! Use any means necessary to eliminate them without letting them come in contact with your skin. (stomp, drive over, douse in fuel and light, etc).
In case of irritation, go home, shower and change and head down to the pharmacy for some cortison cream. In worse cases, contact a doctor asap.
Last year we had a two-day crackdown on these insects in the Algarve Clube Atlantico, employing several different methods of combat with varying results.
My advice is to use the biological poisons (I just love that term
) available at the local green houses and garden centers for the odd nest of caterpillars or on the processions. Only if the plague gets out of hand should you resort to the chemical bombs. As these are applied with sprayers directly on the nests and affected pine trees, there is not much risk of causing damage to the sorrounding wildlife. Nevertheless, the residents of the immediate sorrounding area should be made aware that the treatment is being done so that they can close windows and doors.
Cutting down the nests and buring them is NOT advisable unless you want to risk ending up in hospital covered in caterpillar dust (the dust is actually the poisioned hairs the caterpillars eject when threatened) that rains down from the nests.
Whatever method you want to employ, I would strongly recommend hiring a professional to do this work - Garden maintenance companies and pest control companies have the necessary equipment and staff to handle this job.
GENERAL ADVICE:
Processionary Caterpillar are a plague, they have been importet to the Algarve and the dry winter of 2004 has led to an explosion of the caterpillar population during the winter months. They feed, multiply and go into hibernation before spring.
The caterpillars feed on the wild pinetrees and move from tree to tree in a procession that can be up to 50 or 60 caterpillars long.
If you are out and about and you see one of these nests, do not remain underneath the tree, the dust that can be shaken loose by a gust of wind can cause irritation or allergic reaction.
If you see a procession of caterpillars on the ground, do not touch! Use any means necessary to eliminate them without letting them come in contact with your skin. (stomp, drive over, douse in fuel and light, etc).
In case of irritation, go home, shower and change and head down to the pharmacy for some cortison cream. In worse cases, contact a doctor asap.
-
Ellie
- CVO Oracle
- Posts: 8886
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:16 pm
- Location: Londoner in the Wolds,Lincs
- Contact:
Thaumetopoea pityocampa.....in other words the 'scourge' of all pines in the Mediterranean! 
These caterpillars 'hatch' in summertime (form cobwebby nests in the trees) and then go on to strip the pines of their needles!
My Med. notes say, 'prune out and destroy nests'..but I strongly advise all to follow Gs advice and get in the professionals to deal with them!
Or maybe encourage the Hoopoe bird into your garden ! Apparently, they are the only bird which will EAT these 'orrible 'airy creepy crawlies!
These caterpillars 'hatch' in summertime (form cobwebby nests in the trees) and then go on to strip the pines of their needles!
My Med. notes say, 'prune out and destroy nests'..but I strongly advise all to follow Gs advice and get in the professionals to deal with them!
Or maybe encourage the Hoopoe bird into your garden ! Apparently, they are the only bird which will EAT these 'orrible 'airy creepy crawlies!
-
nightrider
-
Guest
many thanlks for the info..also found this site which was interesting (includes a video )
http://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/Pine ... l#Overview
martin
http://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/Pine ... l#Overview
martin
-
Guest
interesting ref item
Caterpillars: The Pine Processionary Moth, Thaumetopea wilkinsoni, is native to Cyprus but has been spreading across the Middle East since around 1940. These caterpillars (the larvae of moths) build silk-like nests in the tips of branches in early fall and work on defoliating trees of their needles. In late March, the caterpillars move in a procession to the ground and pupate for six months to emerge as moths and lay eggs. If trees are severely attacked over several years, they may die. Fortunately, new growth comes up in spring after the caterpillars have left the trees. The pest can be controlled by cutting the nests, spraying with chemicals (not desirable due to effects on other life forms) or, most preferable, spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria that paralyze the guts of the pests. The pests also have natural enemies in the form of various insects that attack eggs, larvae, and pupae. Birds apparently do not eat these hairy, poisonous caterpillars, which can cause dermatitis if they come in contact with humans. Cold, damp winters also limit the severity of attacks.
Caterpillars: The Pine Processionary Moth, Thaumetopea wilkinsoni, is native to Cyprus but has been spreading across the Middle East since around 1940. These caterpillars (the larvae of moths) build silk-like nests in the tips of branches in early fall and work on defoliating trees of their needles. In late March, the caterpillars move in a procession to the ground and pupate for six months to emerge as moths and lay eggs. If trees are severely attacked over several years, they may die. Fortunately, new growth comes up in spring after the caterpillars have left the trees. The pest can be controlled by cutting the nests, spraying with chemicals (not desirable due to effects on other life forms) or, most preferable, spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria that paralyze the guts of the pests. The pests also have natural enemies in the form of various insects that attack eggs, larvae, and pupae. Birds apparently do not eat these hairy, poisonous caterpillars, which can cause dermatitis if they come in contact with humans. Cold, damp winters also limit the severity of attacks.
-
Ellie
- CVO Oracle
- Posts: 8886
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:16 pm
- Location: Londoner in the Wolds,Lincs
- Contact:
One bird does Guest..the Hoopoe
But Ive just read another page of info on this 'orrible caterpillar..
and for goodness sake watch over your dogs, specially of you take them for walks near / in pinewoods!
Apparently just a few of these little monsters can kill a medium size dog!
Just read of one that got curious about these caterpillars and the result was the dog's demise
The hairs of the caterpillar can affect the lungs and this report said just one of the caterpillars can kill a cat that ventures too close
But Ive just read another page of info on this 'orrible caterpillar..
and for goodness sake watch over your dogs, specially of you take them for walks near / in pinewoods!
Apparently just a few of these little monsters can kill a medium size dog!
Just read of one that got curious about these caterpillars and the result was the dog's demise
The hairs of the caterpillar can affect the lungs and this report said just one of the caterpillars can kill a cat that ventures too close
Supposedly a simple trick to keep the little buggers in cheque is to wrap the tree trunk in cling film. I am told they do not cross the cling film and end up either stuck on the trunk with no way down (sitting ducks for some poison) or unable to get up the tree in the first place.
I find it is worth a try, will let you know of the success rate.
I find it is worth a try, will let you know of the success rate.
Can you get those tree band things in Portugal? Sort of sticky plastic band about 10cm wide you wrap round the trunk.
They work well for bugs that crawl up the tree like the things that ruin my pears every year (I forget to put the bands on every year!), but if the moths fly in to lay eggs wouldn't you end up a lot of cross caterpllars stuck up the tree?
They work well for bugs that crawl up the tree like the things that ruin my pears every year (I forget to put the bands on every year!), but if the moths fly in to lay eggs wouldn't you end up a lot of cross caterpllars stuck up the tree?
Our little pooch (a newfoundland, so perhaps not so little!!) was unfortunate enough to lick one of these caterpillars in September. We have read somewhere that they give off a scent that attracts animals to them. Anyway, as for the symptoms he suffered... first noticed exess saliva gushing from his mouth (if you are familiar with the breed then you will know they slobber alot anyway but this was like a running tap - he was soaked in saliva down his bib and legs within minutes). He kept doing a 'licking' action, but this may have been due to all the saliva and after about half an hour he vomited.
At the time we were staying on a campsite in the north, near Liera, as we were travelling down to the Algarve. At first we were unsure of what the problem was but then noticed all the caterpillars. Fortunately we had read about them in The Resident some time in the dim and distant past. The main thing we rememberd about the article was that dogs can die as a result of touching them.
We quickly packed up and rushed to the local town for a vet. The vets was closed but when we rang the emergency number they directed us to their other surgery a few miles away and advised us to go there straight away. Not a pleasant journey as we thought the dog was going to die and he also vomited a litre of water that he had drunk all over the motorhome!
To cut the story short, the dog is still alive and well! After he had been given three injections of antidote we told the vet our concerns about the dog dying etc. She thought this was a little amusing, but did clarify the situation. If a dog / cat touches one of these things and the owner is unawares (i.e. away from the animal) then they can die as a result of the swelling if it reaches their airways, which it can well do.
Her advise if it was to happen again was (ensuring you are wearing rubber / latex gloves to avoid irritation to your skin) to pour lots of water over the affected area, usually the tongue but try not to allow the dog to swallow the water as he may swallow some of the caterpillars spines. Then get the animal to the vet straight away for the antidote.
It is often the case that some of the dogs tongue will fall away (our boys tongue is fine and intact) leaving them with a hole in it. Their tongue will be sore for several days after they have licked the caterpillar.
During our travels we kept an eye out for the nests and noticed they are as far north as Paris, there are loads of them in the trees lining the autoroutes. I find this especially worrying as it looks like they are heading towards the UK.
Hopefully none of you will ever have this traumatic experience with your animals but if you do I hope you find the above advice useful.
At the time we were staying on a campsite in the north, near Liera, as we were travelling down to the Algarve. At first we were unsure of what the problem was but then noticed all the caterpillars. Fortunately we had read about them in The Resident some time in the dim and distant past. The main thing we rememberd about the article was that dogs can die as a result of touching them.
We quickly packed up and rushed to the local town for a vet. The vets was closed but when we rang the emergency number they directed us to their other surgery a few miles away and advised us to go there straight away. Not a pleasant journey as we thought the dog was going to die and he also vomited a litre of water that he had drunk all over the motorhome!
To cut the story short, the dog is still alive and well! After he had been given three injections of antidote we told the vet our concerns about the dog dying etc. She thought this was a little amusing, but did clarify the situation. If a dog / cat touches one of these things and the owner is unawares (i.e. away from the animal) then they can die as a result of the swelling if it reaches their airways, which it can well do.
Her advise if it was to happen again was (ensuring you are wearing rubber / latex gloves to avoid irritation to your skin) to pour lots of water over the affected area, usually the tongue but try not to allow the dog to swallow the water as he may swallow some of the caterpillars spines. Then get the animal to the vet straight away for the antidote.
It is often the case that some of the dogs tongue will fall away (our boys tongue is fine and intact) leaving them with a hole in it. Their tongue will be sore for several days after they have licked the caterpillar.
During our travels we kept an eye out for the nests and noticed they are as far north as Paris, there are loads of them in the trees lining the autoroutes. I find this especially worrying as it looks like they are heading towards the UK.
Hopefully none of you will ever have this traumatic experience with your animals but if you do I hope you find the above advice useful.
very interesting story...well pehaps fools rush in where angels fear to tread, but I put on very long elbow gloves and with a Gardenia 1 metre wood cutter chopped the branches down with the nests then ..picked up the branches up with the cutter into a wheelbarrow and then burnt them
so far no sign of any reappearence....will try the cling film idea and also ask about spray just in case
so far no sign of any reappearence....will try the cling film idea and also ask about spray just in case