The pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is one of the most destructive species to pines and cedars in southern Europe, North Africa and Central Asia. The hairs of the caterpillar larvae cause severe irritation to the skin and can kill animals such as dogs which ingest them. The species is notable for the behaviour of its caterpillars, which overwinter in tent-like nests high in pine trees, and which process through the woods in nose-to-tail columns in spring. This species is spreading northwards through France causing damage to many pine forests.

Tags:   France Occitanie Languedoc Roussillon Aude Pebrieres Pine processionary moth caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa

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Butterflies and some moths do love a nice bit of nutritious poo!

Tags:   Butterfly moth France Occitanie Languedoc Pyrénées-Orientales Pyrenees Vallee du Galbe little blue Cupido minimus Common heath Ematurga atomaria

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Tags:   France Occitanie Languedoc Aude Belcaire Pic des Rives Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet moth Zygaena lonicera tufted vetch Vicia cracca

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Photo by Lindsay Mackinlay

Tags:   France Languedoc Occitanie Aude Pebrieres Bush cricket predation six-spot burnet moth Zygaena filipendula predator

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Tags:   France Occitanie Languedoc Aude Pebrieres Five-spot burnet Zygaena trifolii moth

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