War On Caterpillars Begins, Marbella

Marbella Council has initiated its yearly run connected municipality trees to forestall nan dispersed of nan conifer processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopea pityocampa), 1 of nan astir communal and harmful pests successful greenish areas, which poses important wellness risks, peculiarly to children and pets. 

The treatments are being carried retired astatine this clip to let nan merchandise to administer done nan trees’ vascular systems and scope nan conifer needles, truthful arsenic to guarantee maximum effectiveness erstwhile nan first larvae hatch and statesman feeding.

The insect’s life cycle originates successful summertime erstwhile butterflies laic eggs connected conifer needles. After astir 4 weeks, nan caterpillars hatch and provender done autumn and wintertime while forming unique silk nests successful sunlit branches. Between February and March, they descend successful processions to burrow and complete their metamorphosis. Egg hatching is staggered and influenced by climatic factors, specified arsenic precocious temperatures, which tin accelerate their emergence.

Pine processionary caterpillars (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) are vulnerable owed to their urticating hairs, which incorporate an irritating chemic called ‘thaumetopoein’, which tin origin terrible tegument rashes, oculus irritation, and perchance allergic reactions successful humans and different mammals upon contact. Pets are astatine peculiar risk. The caterpillars are recognisable owed to their nose-to-tail processions and tent-like nests successful conifer trees. Their protective hairs, which fifth-stage larvae tin eject arsenic harpoon-like structures erstwhile threatened, penetrate exposed tegument and merchandise an irritant protein. Their destructive feeding connected pines and cedars successful Central Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe, mixed pinch their expertise to thrive successful warmer climates, worsens their impact, making them a important ecological and wellness concern.