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The following article may be worth reading if you are thinking of taking a holiday abroad to a european warmer climate.
Processionary Caterpillars
After travelling around Europe for the summer, we were warned by some of the locals about a caterpillar that could be extremely harmful to us, but potentially fatal to our labrador, if eaten. These are called Processionary Caterpillars.
Called 'Processionary Caterpillars' because they form processions, nose to tail, as they leave the nest prior to changing into moths. They make their home in the warmer regions in the mediterranean through to the Adriatic and beyond in the east.
Processionary Caterpillars live in easily identifiable silvery nests in pine trees making their mass nests,(feeding of the pine needles) and then eventually leave their nests in search for food. When they do this they leave a pheromone trail allowing the others to follow, causing a procession. These processions are always single-file head-to-tail and can consist of as many as three hundred caterpillars. The caterpillars stay in line in part as a result of tactile stimulus from the hair-like sensory appendages on the abdomen of the caterpillar in front of it. Between the months of October through to March and April time, the caterpillars descend from their cocoon nests. The caterpillars are a mottled dull brown colour with faded yellowish splotches.
So why are they dangerous? Well, these caterpillars have poisonous and irritant brittle hairs all over their bodies, and if touched by people these hairs will cause severe skin irritations. Sometimes just by touch alone, anaphylactic shock can occur, leading to closure of the airways leading to death. As children are more inquisitive, it is very important to keep them away from these caterpillars, if they touch them the effects will no doubt be more severe. Children have been known to go temporarily blind from rubbing their eyes after picking them up.
So What About Our Labradors?
Processionary Caterpillars are dangerous to both cats and dogs. They have a very bittersweet smell and taste, and your labrador will try to eat them. If eaten by your lab, the results are almost certain to be fatal. As little as three or four will kill a medium sized dog. The reaction to the poison also causes necrosis of the tongue, and if you as the labrador owner do not notice in time, it is usually to late for a vet to do anything to help, apart from ease the suffering. So if you are thinking of taking a holiday abroad to any of the Mediterranean destinations, beware of these caterpillars.
Processionary Caterpillars
After travelling around Europe for the summer, we were warned by some of the locals about a caterpillar that could be extremely harmful to us, but potentially fatal to our labrador, if eaten. These are called Processionary Caterpillars.
Called 'Processionary Caterpillars' because they form processions, nose to tail, as they leave the nest prior to changing into moths. They make their home in the warmer regions in the mediterranean through to the Adriatic and beyond in the east.
Processionary Caterpillars live in easily identifiable silvery nests in pine trees making their mass nests,(feeding of the pine needles) and then eventually leave their nests in search for food. When they do this they leave a pheromone trail allowing the others to follow, causing a procession. These processions are always single-file head-to-tail and can consist of as many as three hundred caterpillars. The caterpillars stay in line in part as a result of tactile stimulus from the hair-like sensory appendages on the abdomen of the caterpillar in front of it. Between the months of October through to March and April time, the caterpillars descend from their cocoon nests. The caterpillars are a mottled dull brown colour with faded yellowish splotches.
So why are they dangerous? Well, these caterpillars have poisonous and irritant brittle hairs all over their bodies, and if touched by people these hairs will cause severe skin irritations. Sometimes just by touch alone, anaphylactic shock can occur, leading to closure of the airways leading to death. As children are more inquisitive, it is very important to keep them away from these caterpillars, if they touch them the effects will no doubt be more severe. Children have been known to go temporarily blind from rubbing their eyes after picking them up.
So What About Our Labradors?
Processionary Caterpillars are dangerous to both cats and dogs. They have a very bittersweet smell and taste, and your labrador will try to eat them. If eaten by your lab, the results are almost certain to be fatal. As little as three or four will kill a medium sized dog. The reaction to the poison also causes necrosis of the tongue, and if you as the labrador owner do not notice in time, it is usually to late for a vet to do anything to help, apart from ease the suffering. So if you are thinking of taking a holiday abroad to any of the Mediterranean destinations, beware of these caterpillars.