International scientists – including three Portuguese from the Superior Institute of Agronomy – have discovered a fungus which “opens the doors to new ways to combat the plague” of processionary pine-tree caterpillars.
Metarhizium brunneum is capable of causing the “significant death of eggs and young larvae of two species” of these hazardous bugs, said a statement from the Centre of Forestry Studies on Monday.
Processionary caterpillars are an annual scourge in Portugal causing allergic reactions in people and badly affecting any animals that come into contact with them when they go on their springtime ‘walkabouts’.
Dogs are particularly susceptible – many having to be put down if the caterpillars’ poisonous hairs find their way into their mouths. The results can destroy the animals’ tongues, leaving them incapable of feeding or drinking independently.
