Life-threatening caterpillars that shoot poisonous hairs into the air have been spotted in forests near the city of Poznań, western Poland.
Posing a threat to humans and animals, the processionary caterpillars’ thick venomous hairs include a stinging fluid called thaumetopoein, which, if they come into contact with eyes or skin, can cause dizziness, fever, and asthma attacks.
Contact with the hairs can also induce vomiting and rashes.
Warning that the insect is “dangerous to people and animals” Poznań’s Crisis Management Center posted on social media: “The oak processionary is an insect whose hairy caterpillars are only 3 centimeters long, but they can cause unpleasant and sometimes health-threatening symptoms.
“The caterpillars, covered with dense hairs, feed at night, most often on oak leaves.
“After dark, they wander in a regular procession along trunks and branches—hence their name.
“There can be up to 100,000 on one tree.
The problem is the poisonous hairs. When threatened, it can shoot these hairs into the air.”
Adding that children and pets were most at risk, the center warned that those who come into contact with the insects should wash contaminated clothes at a high temperature, use adhesive tapes to remove hairs found on the skin and, if suffering severe symptoms, get immediate medical help.
Contact with the hairs can also induce vomiting and rashes.
Warning that the insect is “dangerous to people and animals” Poznań’s Crisis Management Center posted on social media: “The oak processionary is an insect whose hairy caterpillars are only 3 centimeters long, but they can cause unpleasant and sometimes health-threatening symptoms.
“The caterpillars, covered with dense hairs, feed at night, most often on oak leaves.
“After dark, they wander in a regular procession along trunks and branches—hence their name.
“There can be up to 100,000 on one tree.
The problem is the poisonous hairs. When threatened, it can shoot these hairs into the air.”
Adding that children and pets were most at risk, the center warned that those who come into contact with the insects should wash contaminated clothes at a high temperature, use adhesive tapes to remove hairs found on the skin and, if suffering severe symptoms, get immediate medical help.
Source: Centrum Zarządzania Kryzysowego Miasta Poznania/ Facebook
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