Dogs and Killer Processionary Caterpillars in Portugal

Beware of Processionary caterpillars. They are dangerous animals.

I first encountered killer caterpillars in north Portugal. I was walking with my dog Tess on a dirt track that ran along the side of a lake. As we walked I was enjoying the peacefulness of the scenery and Tess was wandering about sniffing and exploring. Catching the scent of previous visitors here and there. Nose down and her tail wagging. I had a faint hope of spotting an eagle, or if I was very lucky a wolf.

This was a remote place and the terrain was wild and rugged. If I were a wolf, or an eagle, I would like to live in these rocky mountains too. Lots eucalyptus, pine, cork oaks and many other varieties of trees and plant life. We zigzagged our separate ways to and fro, from one side of the track to the other. Both happy for the freedom of the countryside. A photo of a flower here, the view from here, an insect there, another picture of Tess and here I am in a dog walking photographers heaven. Love it, love it, love it.

Looking ahead on the track I saw what I thought was a bootlace or a piece of string and slightly to the left a shorter one. It just seemed a bit odd somehow. When I looked a little closer I was quite astonished. The two bits of string were moving!

To my amusement I realized that I was watching a string of caterpillars nose to tail, moving in procession across the track. About thirty five of them in one line, and about twenty in the other. I had never seen anything like it. They looked quite pretty and harmless enough, just like most caterpillars do. Always ready with a camera, I set about taking photos. They were obviously heading across the track and in a reasonably straight line.

Now Tess was wandering around and came over to investigate. I didn’t want her to disturb or injure them in any way, so I asked her to stay back. Which she did. And I was able to take photos unhindered. Kneeling down and scrabbling around on all fours, I took some pictures.

I looked up to see a car coming slowly my way. Bumping in and out of the pot holes it gradually approached. I called Tess over and she sat back, out of the way. Tess was a beautiful Labrador and a wonderful companion at home or away. She was also very easily trained. Labradors in my experience usually are.

Not speaking Portuguese at all, I tried pointing to the caterpillars and then to direct the driver around them. Sometimes I get caught between wanting to jump in to help avoid what I see as imminent disaster and interfering. I dismissed the idea of scooping them up with my hands as being even more silly, judging by the puzzled look on his face.

He didn’t seem to have a clue about what I was trying to say, and promptly drove on. He was probably thinking that this Englishman is crazy. From inside the car he would not have seen them perhaps.

Meanwhile Tess sat and looked on patiently.

Now there were several bits of string, and a lot of untangling to do. After a while, some took charge and they regrouped. After some navigational errors, the fit and able continued, only to be crushed by yet another car. I was getting a bit upset. It was all getting very messy. I watched the caterpillars for some time and then decided to continue with the walk.

. The Processionary Caterpillar is the larva of a silk moth. Thaumetopoeiae. They live in pine trees from which they eat the needles. They live in whitish colour sacks or bags which can be clearly seen on the branches. Sometimes twenty or thirty on a tree.

The caterpillars feed on the needles of the pine tree and when they are ready they leave the nest by playing follow the leader, One takes the lead and the others follow. Bumper to bumper

Bumper to bumper Processionary Caterpillars

The next stage is to find some some soil which is soft enough to burrow into. Once deep into the soil they change into a chrysalis and when conditions are right will emerge as a moth.

Several months after seeing the strange sight, I was warned by some German friends about a small dangerous animal that I should be very careful of. Especially with my dog. They tried to describe the beast to me but I failed to understand the nature of this animal.

That it was small, lived in trees and dangerous was as much as I could understand.

Killer Processionary Caterpillars live in nest like this.

Stay away from killer processionary caterpillars

My friends seemed to make quite an important issue of it, telling tales of inquisitive dogs losing their tongues, and dying because of an allergic reaction to poison, which is found on the hairs of this creature.

A few days later they found the word that cleared up the mystery. Caterpillar. Naturally I started to ask other people about them and found out how lucky I was that Tess didn’t go near them.

It could have been a very nasty situation and I don’t know how things would have turned out if Tess had not been a well behaved and obedient dog.

And what if I had scooped them up with my hands?

Also, other friends have told me to wear a hat under pine trees. and not to get to close, just because I want photos. My friend said he had some dust come down from a nest. He ran and stood under a shower for ages. Apparently the Histamine can cause nasty rashes, blisters and could cause anaphylactic shock.

Best advice. Stay away.

Whenever out in the countryside, especially near pine trees, keep a look out. The nests are easy to see. Perhaps put your dog on a lead. until you are well clear of them.

If you suspect your dog has come into contact with the caterpillars, the signs will be obvious within five minutes.

Your dog may pick up the hairs on its paws and lick them because of an irritation. This will bring the hairs into contact with the mouth and nose. The lips, tongue, and nose can swell up to a huge size until the whole head is swollen. The tounge may become so large and swollen amputation may be necessary. You might also notice a very bad smell. Because of the swelling the air passages can also become blocked leading to suffocation. Get to the vets straight away and if available your dog may be given Apis pills immediately.

If needed the vet will also give a cortisone injection

If you can find a homoeopathy shop or vet near you, get some APIS pills, and keep them for an emergency such as this. They will also work with wasp stings.

Tip. Keep them in a dry airtight container. They will dissolve very easily into nothing if they get the slightest bit damp.

The correct way is to give the pills and then visit the vets. But don’t waste time looking for shops that might or might not have it. If you don’t know where to get the apis head to the nearest vet. Your dogs life is in danger. Note not all vets will keep Apis but they will have Cortisone. Another good reason for keeping some Apis pills yourself in case of such an emergency

Processionary catterpillar nests in a tree in Portugal

Processionary caterpillar nests in a tree in Portugal

Protect your self when working near them. The wearing of protection such as goggles, gloves and a dust mask is advisable. A puff of wind and a face full of dust is not good news.