Processionary caterpillars are back! These bugs pose a real threat to the trees they thrive on; the larvae eat the pine needles with such speed that the trees don’t always survive. More alarmingly is the severe allergic reactions both humans and animals have when they come into contact with these caterpillars.
The hairs on the caterpillar contain an irritating protein called thaumetopein. These hairs are easily airborne and when the come into contact with human skin, painful rashes ad reins allergic reactions can occur.
Pets easily pick up the hairs on their paws, which they then lick to ease the irritation. The hairs, in contact with the mouth and nose, cause the lips, tongue ad nose to swell up to enormous size and it can end fatally for your pet.
What are processionary caterpillars?
At the end of the summer, the adult moths mate and the females lay the eggs on the pine needles. Once hatched, the caterpillars fall off the needles and build a nest that looks like candy floss. When they are ready, in the warmer weather of early spring, the caterpillars start their procession to the ground to pupate. As moths they live for a very short period of time, during which they mate and lay their eggs in the pine tree.
The advice is to be extra vigilant. One vet in Puerto Pollensa advises that you should avoid walking your dog anywhere were there are pine trees. If you do see the caterpillars, leave immediately.
Keep in mind that these horrid bugs bury themselves under the ground and dogs often pounce on them without owners realising. If your dog foes come into contact with a caterpillar, wash its mouth out immediately and get to your nearest vet as soon as possible.
Do not stamp on the caterpillars, their hairs scatter in the breeze and can cause an immediate reaction.
How do you deal with them?
For homeowners with palm trees in the garden, prevention is key and this can be done with trunk injection during the autumn months so that the tree has a defence system in place as the caterpillars begin their feast. When the nests are visible, seek professional help. They should be destroyed safely and efficiently.
Pollensa Town Council have recently carried out action against the caterpillars in the different parts of town. With permission from the Guardia Civil, a number of nests have been shot out of the trees by members of the Association of Hunters, under the supervision of the Local Police.
Take caution in the coming days as it’s possible there are some caterpillars still on the ground. Informative posters with recommendations to follow have been placed at the sites which are in the following places;
Pollensa town: recreational area of Puig de Santuïri, Cemetery, C/de Creus, CEIP Joan Mas, IES Guillem Cifre de Colonya.
Puerto Pollensa: municipal plot Via Alemanya, Llenaire beach, c/ Voltor and Nuredduna, bus stop, Av. Bocchoris, Voramar and c/ Colom, Plazas Joan Cerdà and Roch Minue, petrol station on Joan XXIII, and around IES Clara Hammerl.
Cala Sant Vicente: Av. Cavall Bernat, Pl Pins, c/ Temporal.
Formentor: Formentor beach and Cala Murta.