Thaumetopoea pityocampa
The moth attacks pine and cedar forests in all mediterranean countries. The pest was famously studied by a French naturalist by the name of Jean Henri Fabre who became quite intrigued by a species of caterpillar called the “Processionary Caterpillar” which fed on pine needles and moved through the trees in a long procession. The pest is present in most of Southern Europe and is especially damaging in young plantations and on ornamental trees. Its population level fluctuates substantially though in a rather regular manner over the period of a few years.
