Thaumetopoea pityocampa

Pine processionary moth

Description

This moth has cream coloured forewings with brown markings and white hindwings. The females oviposit on the needles in August. During autumn and winter, larvae aggregate in colonies and spin silken nests which enlarge until the 4th instar when the definitive winter nest is built. The larvae change colour at each moult and at the 3rd instar urticating hair patches appear. They crawl out for food, moving one after another in a row formation. Larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa are very dangerous for humans. Their hairs are very fragile and if they penetrate the skin, they can cause severe allergic reactions. In the Western Mediterranean area, it is considered one of the most important cedar pests. Severe defoliation of cedar trees is not rare.

Symptom

It creates a ´nest´ on the tree, in which the caterpillars spend the night and from where they travel out together in the rows for food in the morning and in the evening. It damages the upper part of the crown. The needles are consumed the whole so that only their base, 1-2 cm long, remain. It can cause up to 100% defoliation of pines.

Tree Species: Pine, Cedar

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: Yes

Present in EU: Yes