Once limited to specific regions of France, they are now a common sight all across the country. The pine processionary caterpillar is present in large parts of France, mainly in the south, centre and west, and is common in winter and spring. “We have observed a warming of the air which has allowed them to survive and therefore to multiply,” Jérôme Rousselet, a researcher at the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment told France Info. The caterpillars can be a real annoyance in the countryside, because you don’t need to touch one in order to be affected, since their stinging hairs can be carried by the wind. If you’re already experiencing symptoms, you should immediately wash the affected area with clear, cold water, and wash your clothes at a high temperature.

Source: The Local June 24, 2021 10:52 UTC