Small course in natural sciences. The pine processionary caterpillar is the larva of a moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa. In the spring, the caterpillars leave the trees to burrow into the earth: it is a procession that can sometimes extend over 40 meters, in single file.
The problem is, processionary caterpillars are extremely stinging: this power comes from a thin layer of dust that comes loose from plaques on the back and back of the caterpillar. When this powder comes in contact with the skin, a painful rash accompanied by itching occurs within 8 hours. Worse: the stinging substance can spread on the body through itching, clothing, sweat or friction …
When the stinging dust comes into contact with the eyes, the appearance of a conjunctivitis within 1 to 4 hours – the eyes become red, sore and watery. If the substance gets into the eye tissue, it can sometimes progress to blindness.
Consequences that can be serious
In case of inhalation contact, this manifests as sneezing, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and possibly difficulty breathing due to bronchospasm (narrowing of the bronchi as in the case ofasthma). And if ingested, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and intestines occurs which is accompanied by symptoms such as hypersalivation, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Usually, the first victims of processionary caterpillars are the pets. However, this Friday March 17, 2017, 18 babies aged 1 to 2 years as well as 3 adults had to be hospitalized. The facts took place in a crèche in Septèmes-les-Vallons (Bouches-du-Rhône): the caterpillars would have fallen from a tree “on the edge of the crèche which overlooked the courtyard”. The children, who were playing outside, then touched the caterpillars which were on the ground, explained the spokesperson for the firefighters.
Fortunately, their hospitalization is “a precautionary measure: all the stinging hairs must be removed and the ointment applied to the skin”. Ten ambulances were still hired for the occasion by the firefighters, the Marseille firefighters and the Smur.
