She has poisonous hair: Beware of the processionary caterpillar

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Mallorca is the travel destination for approximately 14.4 million tourists every year. But the so-called processionary caterpillars also live in the popular holiday resort on the Iberian Peninsula. These always cause unrest at the end of winter, as the “Mallorca Zeitung” writes. The reason: their transparent hair contains toxic ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in people and pets.

People with allergies are particularly sensitive to the toxins. “The immune system of an organism that already suffers from other allergies often reacts more violently than that of people without other allergies,” says Albert Oehling, president of the Iberian Allergy Association. He wants to prevent panic, but also points out that so-called anaphylaxis can occur in people with an allergy. An acute allergic reaction that affects the entire body and in rare cases can even lead to death. “I recommend that people with allergies avoid being near Mediterranean pines at this time of year and always carry an antihistamine,” says Oehling.

Using poisonous injections and gunshots against the caterpillars

The caterpillars’ nests are usually found in the pine trees of Aleppo. At the end of winter, the caterpillars migrate along the tree trunk to bury themselves in the soil. During this time, their hair is carried through the air by the wind and causes itching in passers-by. This disappears again after a few hours.

Despite all the nuisance caused by the processionary caterpillars, the researchers are impressed by the animal species. “The adults emerge from their cocoons in the summer in the form of moths, mate and lay the eggs in the pine trees. Later they spin elaborate silk nests there to protect the eggs from the winter cold. However, this year we saw that they used less silk because the temperatures were not very low,” reports Miguel Ángel Miranda, professor of zoology at the University of the Balearic Islands.

Nevertheless, the administration is trying to use various methods to combat the spread of processionary caterpillars. Including with poisonous syringes that are sprayed into the pine trees – or with shotgun shots that they fire at the nests in the trees. (mgf)

Source: Blick