Sorry to put a dampener on things but these are really dangerous, we have the very similar pine processionary caterpillars. They can cause respiratory failure and death if you breathe in the hairs and I have known of several dogs killed this way - it’s a very distressing and agonising death. Please don’t attempt to tackle the nests or caterpillars yourself, pouring petrol on them can cause the hairs to fly through the air, you won’t guarantee to get all the hairs if you spray with hairspray - you need a professional with protective breathing gear. If you see them in procession, get yourself, kids and animals well away - they eject the hairs as a defence mechanism if threatened
Don’t know about the oak variety, but the pine ones process to a soft area of earth and burrow in to pupate. We had a nest this year on our only ornamental pine tree - we kept a close eye on it and watched them process from a safe distance, marked the spot where they burrowed and firmly wedged a large glass cloche over it to control the flying hairs. The tree is being cut down shortly because of this one nest, I don’t want to take any chances with my dogs and cats.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
They are dangerous, but with previous outbreaks in 2011 and 2015 survived, we’re not facing the end of western civilisation.
They do seem to be highly toxic, and if their hairs can be ejected/left behind and remain dangerous for years afterwards I would suggest calling the authorities to contain/decontaminate properly rather than dicking about with a petrol canister.
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They look more like a small, cross-eyed bat. I wouldn't fancy being bitten by that. Or being under a shower of poo.
I think they were originally imported from Europe..
Don’t know about the oak variety, but the pine ones process to a soft area of earth and burrow in to pupate. We had a nest this year on our only ornamental pine tree - we kept a close eye on it and watched them process from a safe distance, marked the spot where they burrowed and firmly wedged a large glass cloche over it to control the flying hairs. The tree is being cut down shortly because of this one nest, I don’t want to take any chances with my dogs and cats.
They do seem to be highly toxic, and if their hairs can be ejected/left behind and remain dangerous for years afterwards I would suggest calling the authorities to contain/decontaminate properly rather than dicking about with a petrol canister.
It does sound pretty under control.