The first signs of spring are welcome to most but the winter thaw brings with it, the threat of a tiny, but highly toxic pest: the Pine Processionary Caterpillar (Thaumetopoea Pityocampa). Ya se iniciaron fumigaciones de control y se está tomando nota de nuevos focos en tlf 91 112 74 00 Parque y jardines. @PoliciaAlcorcon pic.twitter.com/zazOBBnDV6 — ECO-POLI Alcorcón (@ECOPOLIAlcorcon) February 18, 2019The eggs are laid in candyfloss-like nests in pine trees where they remain during the cold winter months. As the temperature starts to rise with the approach of spring, the caterpillars hatch and drop to the ground to search for food. The risk is particularly high in pine forests but is not confined exclusively to them and can occur anywhere where pine trees grow, including city parks, private gardens and roadsides.

Source: The Local February 22, 2019 10:52 UTC