Beware of pine forests this time of year!

[Tinkerbell]

Be careful if you are heading to the Puente Palo area with dogs, the processionary caterpillars are out and active and yes they are crossing the snow too. These caterpillars are not good news for your trusted 4 legged friend should they come into contact with each other or us for that matter.

Its the time of year when you need to be careful of all pine forests 

[Andy2]

I'm intrigued- what happens when you mix the two?

[Tinkerbell]

Hi

Sadly the encounter of dog and caterpillar can result in death for the dog  but if your lucky the dog may only loose part of its tongue!! When the caterpillars are disturbed they shoot off fine hairs which usually for a dog mean they get stuck in the nose, throat, eyes etc, because dogs are always using their noses to investigate stuff. For us humans they cause skin rashes and if inhaled they can cause much bigger problems. Even sitting under a tree with the nests (the nests are the white silky things you see in the pine trees) in can cause reactions, so the best bet is to stay clear of them. These caterpillars also kill the pine tree eventually 

[Andy2]

Thanks for the warning. I couldn't view the picture of them you posted in the other thread - could you put another one up so I know what to look out for?

[Tinkerbell]

Hi Andy

Here is a picture of them coming out of their nests in November 2009, they were early this year,

And here is a link to my blog to show you what they look like in the trees and in a procession (very difficult to see when on the floor) http://www.kierstenrowland.com/2009/03/the-trouble-with-pine-processionary-caterpillars/

[Andy2]

Thanks for the picks - I'm sure I've seen the nests in the pines above puente palo.

Great blog BTW, I really like the photo's of Lanjaron with the mountains in the background.

[Tinkerbell]

Im sure you will have seen them all over the place, even towards the coast!! Horrible things.

Glad you like the blog, the photo of Lanjaron was taken from about 15 mins drive heading south from Pinos de Valle, flat area of open woodland directly opposite Lanjaron with motorway below. Great views specially for a nice winters morning, good place to walk the dog too