Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
- View Large
- Vote
Join to Vote
You must join ePHOTOzine to vote. - Comments
-
The pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is known as ‘procesionaria del pino’ in Spanish and during late winter/early spring they come out of the trees and form conspicuous snakelike lines as they traverse the ground searching for soft soil to burrow into. In the adult phase they are a simple and unremarkable, short lived moth which emerges in the summer and flies at night.
These social caterpillars, living in family communities of up to 300 caterpillars per nest, eat pine needles by night and sleep in little temporary silk nests by day.
The caterpillars are covered in tiny barbed hairs which are their defence mechanism. These hairs are often being shed and so can be airborne around infested pine trees, on the branches where they have travelled and also left in the line of the migrating procession.
When humans and our pets come into contact with these hairs, they can cause reactions ranging from mild inflammation and irritation to severe anaphylactic shock. The worst problems occur if you make contact with the caterpillar directly and ingest the hairs, either by picking it up, stepping on it or moving them in some manner. Once on your skin a rash soon forms which can be incredibly itchy. Medical advice should be sought if you are unfortunate enough to experience this. The rash can be painful, very itchy and lasts for as much as three weeks.
| Brand: | Olympus |
| Camera: | Olympus FE-210  Check out Olympus Image Space! |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Title: | pine processionary caterpillars |
| Username: | 
CarolG |
| Uploaded: | 20 Apr 2011 - 5:44 AM |
| Tags: | Close-up, Close-up / macro, General, Macro, Pine processionary caterpillar, Wildlife / nature |
| Votes: | 75 |
 | Variant - Report |
Comments
Great images of a real pest. In Spain you are obliged to notify the authorities when you see them and they exterminate the little wretches. They are a real nuisance to us as our immediate neighbour has let her pines run wild.
Great macro set Carol, and good commentary - I've got the "itch" on my leg at the moment; the consequence of sitting on my backside in paddocks waiting for birds - our caterpillars look similar to yours - I've resorted to the age old Chinese remedy - (scratching) ...Bill
Hi Carol this is again an excellent of images of the catterpiller.. Excellent..
Samar..
Great set Carol ... and what an interesting write up ... thanks for that
Very interseting Carol as well as a great series of images.
Phil.
So - not the sort of fluffy little critters that you'd want as pets...
Superb images though.
Moira
great shot and set, prickly little devils and if you get a prickle in your hand you will know it
Excellent images Carol, so much detail. And very interesting information too!
Carol
Great detail Carol when you see this it just shows how hairy they are tie a few together and you have a shaving brush ah good old nature cick 1 vote each 
Superb set of images Carol, V1 my favourite,
Fred.
Golly, they're certainly hairy, Carol, wouldn't want to get too close to these! Sounds like the urticating hairs found on the backs of tarantulas, which they use as a defensive mechanism, and when shed, can cause irritation to the skin. Brilliant set, and a very interesting write-up, too 
Trev
It is hard 2 believe a butterfly shall emerge from this ugly creature.
Super images and great write up. There are warning signs in a nearby nature reserve about these caterpillars. Sylvia
Great work good macro shots I think V3 for me well done.
Superb set of images, fabulous detail and tones, fascinating write up.
Hugh
Super macro set, and a fascinating write-up, Carol. Most hairs from caterpillars (I remeber from a kid and collecting some in jam jars decades ago! leave a rash which itches a lot. These look sort of 'Vicar of Dibley' Big *****rs, and I wouldn't fancy picking one up, just for that reason
Dave.
Amazing detail in these awesome close ups Carol, I hope you aren't speaking from personal experience in your description!!!
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Awards
Current Competitions
Vanguard June 'Landscape' Competition - Win TIPA Awarded Gear!
1st June 2013 - 30th June 2013
This month, Vanguard are giving you the chance to get your hands on TIPA 2013 awarded gear in our 'Landscape' competition.Up for grabs are two ABEO Pro 2...
Featured e2 Photo
June's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
