Pine processional caterpillars about

Caterpillars photographed yesterday by Malc

These caterpillars make "nests" in the pine tree plantations about the area and usually about March they make their way down the tree and across the forest floor until they find suitable sites to pupate into the moths about the end of summer.
The behaviour of the larvae is interesting because they march nose to tail in a procession. Famous French entomologist Jean Henri Fabre conducted an experiment in which the larvae were placed in a circle and they continued to follow each other for a week.
But the problem with these moths (apart from the destruction of the trees if they are too numerous) is that the hairs on their body can be very irritating to humans and other mammals - especially to the eyes. They can actually fire hairs into those disturbing them and can be toxic to dogs and cats.
Apparently they are predated by great tits and great spotted woodpeckers.
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