Processionary caterpillars are recognized as a threat to forests, since they feed mainly on pine leaves, although they can also affect others. Their presence not only causes considerable damage to forest ecosystems but also poses a danger to animals and humans, since they are covered with stinging hairs that contain a toxic substance called thaumetopoein.
Sometimes they have been seen “parading” along the road, especially in areas where there is nearby vegetation. However, a video published on the Instagram account @creaf_econogía shows a multitude of these caterpillars concentrated on the wheel of a car.
The images showed how the tracks had climbed towards the tire of a parked vehicle, flooding part of the rubber.
What were they doing there? From the same account they invited users to shed light on the matter and reveal what the causes of this behavior could be.
Many Internet users formulated some theories about the reason for this behavior on the part of the processionary caterpillars. A user alleged that it could be because they were looking for heat and took refuge in the tire, but from the same account they indicated that the vehicle had been parked for 8 hours or more, so that could not be the reason.
Another user made a comment that was very interesting. “Could it be due to the effect of the insecticides used in endotherapy?” he asked her. “The main product used is abamectin, which is a neurotoxin. Since the product is slow-acting, it may not kill the pest but may cause effects on orientation, as occurs with other insects,” he explained. From @creaf_ecologia they highlighted that it was a very interesting theory and that they would ask if a forest control had been carried out in the vicinity.