Pine processionary development, pine processionary caterpillars are highly irritating to the skin. Contact with the hairs of the caterpillar can cause severe rashes (urticaria) and eye irritation. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to the caterpillar's hairs. 5th stage larvae can eject hairs when threatened or stressed; the hairs, which have the form of harpoons, then penetrate and irritate all areas of exposed skin nearby with an urticating protein. Allergic reactions may follow in susceptible individuals on subsequent exposure to the hairs. The pine processionary is an economic pest in coniferous forests in southern Europe. It is controlled to some extent
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.