Forget spiders and queen wasps, toxic caterpillars are now to fear.

EGuitarStar

EGuitarStar

EGuitarStar

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Health warnings after toxic caterpillar outbreak in London.

Oak processionary moths (OPM), which are in their larval stage, have been spotted across the south-east of England and in the capital.

Hairs on the caterpillars can cause fevers and eye and throat irritations, the Forestry Commission said.

The organisation has issued a caution not to touch the species.

The biggest infestations of OPM were recorded in Greater London, stemming from Kingston upon Thames to Brent.

It is thought that the moths were brought into the UK on trees imported from Europe for a landscape project.
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Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43930702

So anyone encountered any yet?
 
I haven't seen one recently, but an encounter with one almost 15 years ago when visiting the New Forest camping caused exactly these symptoms in me. The little **** fell on me from a tree branch I was walking underneath and landed on my exposed neck.
 
jpaul said:
if these are like the ones you get in south of france ... they can kill pets/dogs .. bbc article does not seem to discuss this ..
so you have to take care of letting dogs off leash.

eg. http://www.mythankyoupage.com/pets-...iller-processionary-caterpillars-in-portugal/
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Nasty, dogs having to have parts of their tongue and lips amputated :(

Reading the comments it seems kill it with fire is actually one of the solutions a few of them use but even then the hairs can still get you, guess these caterpillars really don't want to be eaten.
 
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