In February 2022, a strong storm it crashed on Germania.
Baptised Zeynepthe storm resulted strong winds who uprooted trees and sent leaves and branches flying.
Maximum alert
While there were fortunately no casualties, the storm still did a lot of damage. There owner of a dog has seen fit to use Facebook to warn those who have a pet of a great danger own derivative of the storm.
In his post he says that, while making a stroll in the forest with her dog, she came across one strange brown pile. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was an itch moth nest, better known as a processionary moth, that had broken loose from tree branches and fallen to the ground!
But what are processionaries?
The processionary is one moth rather common and inconspicuous that lives mainly in hot and dry regions. The real danger though are the caterpillars3/4 centimeters long, covered with very fine and fearsome stinging hairs.
The caterpillars build their nests on trees, especially on conifers, from where they move to look for food, on other branches first and then descend to the ground along the trunk. in single file, thus forming caterpillar processionshence the name of this insect, sometimes of the length of even 10 meters.
Watch out for the dogs!
Even if the nest found by the woman was empty, it most likely still contained the hairs of the caterpillars, which are extremely irritating for both animals and humans.
Contact with these hairs can cause skin rashes itchy, eye irritationsas well as sore throat and difficulty breathing.
For this reason dog owners should pay close attention when they walk the dog and notice processionary nests: under no circumstances should they let their four-legged friends get close to them.
Attention! Also seen in Italy!
Italian pet owners, thealarm that goes for you too! Processionaries have already been spotted in some areas of Liguria and Marche, but they arrive throughout Italy.
Attention not only to your pets but also to your children. If you come across these caterpillars or their nests, please do not hesitate to contact Municipal police or the ecozoophile guards or the ASL of your area.
Read also: Here’s how to prevent the effects of the processionary moth on dogs