The Pine proccesionary Caterpillar
The Pine processionary Caterpillar (Thaumetopea pityocampa) is a Mediterranean insect of about 40mm long (adult stage) which develops its main activity on the top of Pine Forests during this period of the year.
They can have up to 500,000 stinging hairs in their larval stage, which are bigger and more dangerous in their last larval stages (L4/L5).
It is between January and February when is advisable to mark and to inform the users and neighbours about this main danger, since larvae go down from the trees to the ground in procession, then they bury themselves and pass to their next stage (chrysalis). This is the origin of its name.
In order to avoid problems that this small Lepidoptera can cause, it is best to ensure and prevent children and pets to those Pine areas and also to those species such as Cedars; where this type of insect is fed and make their bags.