Oak processionary the same manner. Oak is its preferred food source, but the moth also eats the leaves of hazel, hornbeam, sweet chestnut, birch and beech. The moths pose an increasing threat to humans as their range is extended. The backs of older caterpillars (3rd to 6th instars) are covered with up to 63,000 pointed defensive bristles, which contain an urticating toxin (e.g., the protein thaumetopoein). The setae break off readily, become airborne and can cause epidemic caterpillar dermatitis (lepidopterism), manifested as a papular rash, pruritus, conjunctivitis and, if inhaled, pharyngitis and respiratory distress, including asthma or even anaphylaxis; however, as of
National Office of Animal Health National Office of Animal Health The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) is a British organisation that represents the voice of its members from within the animal medicine industry in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. NOAH’s aim is to: “... promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality medicines for the health and welfare of all animals.” The members of NOAH typically come from a broad spectrum of the animal and veterinary medicine industry including small UK organisations and larger multinational corporations who have interests in providing animal medicine and services to animal health in the UK.