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PINE PROCESSIONARY CURIOSITIES. The pine processionary is an insect that lives in nests built in trees, preferably pines, but they also settle in cedars or fir trees. In spring, the processionaries come down from the trees, in lines, looking for an aprropiate place to bury themselves and to metamorphosize into a nymph. During the process, they let the hairs that cover them go up into the air, causing an allergic reaction to certain people. A popular rumor, very famous, says that if a caterpillar falls down on your head, you become bold - this is not true.
The caterpillars form big lines, one behind another like in a procession; thus their name.
The pine processionary is born out of the butterfly Thaumetopoea pityocampa. This butterfly is similar to a moth, it has a dumpy body and a rudimentary horn that does not serve to feed. The processionary does not eat and its sole activity during the 2 or 3 days of its life consists of attracting the male by means of some given off substances.
The processionary butterfly's life is very short and it uses it to mate. The processionary has some harpooned hairs that when sticking and breaking into the skin inoculate histamine liberating substances. This produces hives, some skin injuries with many irritations and discomfort, ocular problems and occasionally bronchial problems, as well as anaphylactic shock symptoms. In some cases it is proved they can produce rhinitis and asthma. This is why one should not touch the places the processionary passed by or the insects themselves. They are also a danger for pets, especially dogs, because they come closer to the caterpillars lines, and they might involuntarily suck, swallow or inhale the carterpillars hairs.
The contact with the processionary caterpillars hairs produces a painful hives. There are several methods of controlling these insects; applying them in the correct way can decrease the processionary populations. It is important to bear in mind that certain favorable environmental conditions for the development of the plague cannot be modified; this will lead to the consequent reproduction of the pine processionary. It is also advisable that the election of the elimination method should cause the least impact on the environment. The changes in the climatology caused a more elevated increase in the winter temperatures; so the caterpillar changes its habits too and instead of waiting the spring's arrival it already begins to march downwards during winter time. Once on the ground, it completes its cycle and converts itself into a butterfly; the most important damage is the defoliation in the pines, the loss of the needle-shaped leaves on the top of the trees due to the voracity of these insects, that end up debilitating to the tree and even killing the smaller trees.
The pine processionary chrysalis is kept buried in the ground. If you want to read our other articles about the pine processionary, moths and butterflies traps as well as some curiosities on these insects, click below.
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