Latin Etymology: Thaumetopoea ("showing marvelous things") pityocampa (?)
Catepillars of Pine Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) at Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy - May 2018
Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ? / Length: ? / Wingspan: 31-49mm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated
An unusual instance where it is the caterpillar which is the far more notable and recognisable form of the species. As adults they are small and unremarkable looking grey brown moths, but the larvae have a number of distinctive adaptations and behavioural patterns of note. As they develop, they build a communal tent structure which they use as a base for foraging, including during Winter. When it reaches time to pupate, they form long processions (as seen in the photo above) which are guided by pheremone trails. It is here they are most directly of note to humans, as at this point in their life they also have allergy inducing hairs which can cause problems for humans and other animals
Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Thaumetopoeidae
Genus: Thaumetopoea
SUBSPECIES: ?
- Sighting Locations -
ITALY - Italian - Processionaria del Pino ("Pine Processionary")
A localised resident in coniferous areas
- SICILY 2018 TRIP: Fairly common in the conifer zone of Mount EtnaA localised resident in coniferous areas
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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