Catching caterpillars
SPECIAL traps have been placed on selected pine trees in La MataTorrevieja natural park to catch pine processionary moths.
It uses pheromones to lure the insects into the trap and kill them
A spokesman for the regional environment department noted that the initiative, which has been running for several years, is designed to ‘keep the processionary population at low levels’.
The adult moths lay their eggs near the tops of pine trees in silken nests built over the winter.
In early spring the caterpillars leave the nests in the procession for which the species is known.
The spokesman noted that the traps are located next to or close to forest tracks in many areas of the Valencia region.
“In general they are placed around 100 metres apart,” he explained.
They are numbered and a GPS location is taken ‘to help with their collection’ at a later date.
This insect is responsible for most of the defoliation of pine trees and can completely defoliate trees if large quantities are present.
However, the regional environment department has highlighted that it is ‘native’ insect and its presence is necessary to maintain biodiversity ‘as it forms part of the diet of numerous animals’.
Therefore they are not seeking to eradicate the insect but control the population to reduce the danger it presents, principally to pets.
The hairs of the caterpillar are an irritant and can cause serious problems for dogs if they swallow them, as well allergic reactions in humans.