FYI if you don’t know them: do not touch , kill with fire or something. Don’t let your dog near them
this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2025
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Yeah, that looks like oak processionaries. They can cause skin irritation and apparently asthma, too..
Noctuoneida (or something like that), Owlet Moths.
No, we do not kill anything unless they are definitely invasive, which these guys aren’t. They are only a problem if you happen to sit on one, (and you happen to be naked, I suppose) generally they are not a nuisance at all. They stay in their tree, dispersing to eat during the day, and getting back together in clumps like this at night.
These processionary caterpillar are invasive. They kill pine and alike. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/defra-england-france-europe-north-africa-b995054.html
Again, they are not invasive here.
Where are you located?
Southern Africa.
there's no such thing as an animal or plant that is invasive in the general sense
when you say something is invasive, you need to specify where
As per the linked article.
I’m all good with comments about protecting these caterpillars, I just hope we are not neighbors 😉
No, don't kill them OP. They didn't ask to be born a venomous critter. They're just trying to live their best life. Please don't kill them :(
Do as you please. But you may want to check for local regulations and pest control advices about these caterpillars.
I never kill anything unless absolutely sure. Even then I hesitate.
They're blue tit food! The reason they're out of control is that there aren't enough birds to eat them.
If you are in the UK, report them. They're an invasive pest
In Germany it's the same with some of these ("Eichenprozessionsspinner" can cause dangerous very serious inhalatory problems).
Same in France (makes sense, we're located just between you two).
Though I think we got more pine processionaries than oak ones. Different species, different tree, but a health hazard too.
Guess what, same in the Netherlands.
Not here, they are where they are supposed to be, on an acacia tree.
Do not cuddle those
Would not recommend, -4/10
Is it common to call caterpillars "worms" in English speaking countries?
I have to admit "caterpillar" is a mouthful, many languages have much shorter words for that.
This is not an english speaking country (primarily) so most people use the word “wurm” for both worms and caterpillars. Though technically you are correct, a caterpillar is a “ruspe”
Isch Raupe hier.
In America, if it has loads of legs, and preferably fuzzy, it's a caterpillar. There may be exceptions, can't think of one in any region.
Anyway, I wonder what is the purpose of these little creatures, beside turning into big moth.
Maybe feed bats, or self ignite on halogen lamps…