Oak processionary caterpillars are in the news a lot these days. They share their habitat with us, humans. And this is not pleasant for both parties. Children come home after playing in the park or playground, covered in an angry red rash. Cyclists and joggers have irritated eyes and respiratory tract.
Last Sunday, V-man and I went for a walk in the woods of Ulvenhout. It was the first time I saw the oak processionary caterpillar in real life. We spotted them in at least six places: white hazy nests of industrious caterpillars with long blond hair. Fortunately, they kept their defensive bristles to themselves.
Though the plague seems to be a new phenomenon, in the nineteenth century, these creatures also frequently occurred in the South of the Netherlands. The natural enemies of the caterpillars are parasitic wasps, parasitic flies and … great tits. Let us install a lot of nest boxes for these brave birds with their peculiar menu!
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Posted as part of my Six Word Saturday musings; courtesy of Debbie at Travel with Intent. Will you join us there?
Figments of a DuTchess 
They look scary and vicious. Best keep far from them. Thanks for dropping by my post.
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It’s their nearly invisible hairs that are nasty. For the last week, my arms, legs and especially my neck were covered in red, terribly itchy spots. I won’t be going near a forest these coming weeks. And I totally LOVE walking underneath trees. They favor oaks.
But a new species is moving in as well: the pine processionary caterpillar!
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Ik krijg er acuut jeuk van… Brrrr.. Mooie krengen zijn het.
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Een mooie omschrijving, Rianne! Fascinerend angstaanjagend. 😉
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Eeuw! Don’t like the look of those hairy creatures at all. Hope they all get eaten before they become a plague. 😳
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Scary, huh? They are already a plague. Those barbs can get hooked in the eyes, and you can go blind because of them. Or get a massive allergic reaction. Brrrr.
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Oh horrors! That’s really the stuff of nightmares. 😳
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We have those in Australia too
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And they only eat oak leaf, like here?
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The ones at my place eat Wattles (Acacia)
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They are a bit scary! They’re in the pines here around February time. I’ve seen lots of nests but not often seen them processing. Given a wide berth!
Happy weekend, Marion 🙂 🙂
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Keeping a respectful distance as well, Jo!
Have a lovely Saturday and a sunny Sunday. x
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Super sunny! I’m melting gently on the roof 😍🍒🍨💕
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Cherries and ice cream. Great idea! 😀
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