Processionary Caterpillars

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:17 am

Interesting article in latest edition of Essential Algarve Magazine:

www.essential-portugal.com

click on the Algarve magazine on the left, then Health at the bottom.

laserblazer · Post by **laserblazer** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:54 am

Thanks Jeremy this is what these forums is all about. We might not be able to stop a war in Iran but we can help prevent a child getting hurt.

I'm not saying we shouldn't discuss a potential war in Iran, just that we will have zero influence.

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:23 pm

We are also going to plough the ground around affected trees in the summer to try and kill off the hibernating critters.

Two treatmenst per tree and a wet November have hopefully reduced their numbers a bit this winter, but as the article states - as long as there are people who do not accept the responsibility to combat these creatures on their own property, we are fighting a loosing battle.

bifas 1st darling! · Post by **bifas 1st darling!** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:02 pm

We cut our pine tree down (after having it sprayed several times, they just kept comming back for more!) because the "bichos" were crawling up the wall and into the bathroom, yuk!!

Ant1969 · Post by **Ant1969** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:49 pm

No way..! While I was there earlier this month, I came across a trail of easily 100 or more of these caterpillars moving in a line, nose to tail. I was quite fascinated and watched them for some time. Evenutally they all curled up into a big ball, spun some web around themselves and within half and hour were buried by the blowing sand.

I presume they'll turn into moths and then fly off to become food for birds, bats and other mammals (even the ants were having a good go at them!).

How many incidents of serious injury have occurred by these remarkable creatures? I for one don't think I could take a blow torch to them, as suggested in the magazine link!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:09 pm

According to my 'Mediterranean Gardener' book (warning of the damage done to Pine trees by this caterpillar)..they are covered in irritating hairs and the only bird that will eat them is the 'Hoopoe' !
The hairs can get in windpipe of an animal and it suffocates..I did read a case of a dog dying after touching, playing with these hairy little blighters.
My book says prune out and destroy the nests..but on no account touch the caterpillars!

Ant1969 · Post by **Ant1969** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:05 pm

Never did like dogs much...

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:56 pm

Ant1969 wrote:Never did like dogs much...

Thats wicked

actually those little hairy blighters make my skin crawl....I mean the caterpillars!

bife73 · Post by **bife73** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:35 pm

I came across a good 50 or 60 of them when went for a walk with our daughter and dog on the cliff tops a couple of Sundays ago (between Sesmarias & Ferragudo). They actually looked like a piece of string or rope laying across the track. My wife was the one who noticed they were caterpillars on the march! Funny enough away from the pine trees! Luckily we left them well alone....although the dog attacked the line....she was fine luckily...we'll know better next time.