# Pine Processionary-moth (*Thaumetopoea pityocampa*)

The Pine Processionary-moth is a fuzzy little insect that loves to munch on pine trees. It has a unique way of moving in long lines with its friends, which looks like a parade!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Pine Processionary-moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pine_Processionary_%28Thaumetopoea_pityocampa%29_%284990106967%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Ben Sale from UK, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pine_Processionary_%28Thaumetopoea_pityocampa%29_%284990106967%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pine Processionary-moth is a small, stout moth, typically greyish-brown with subtle darker wavy lines on its forewings. Its hindwings are plain white. The body is covered in soft, dense hairs, giving it a fuzzy appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Lepidoptera
- **Family:** Notodontidae
- **Genus:** Thaumetopoea

## Interesting facts

- Caterpillars spend up to 9 months eating pine needles before changing!
- Female moths lay hundreds of eggs that are perfectly camouflaged on pine needles!
- Their tiny hairs can cause itchy rashes and breathing trouble!
- They build giant silk nests, sometimes as big as a football!

## Special abilities

- **Venomous Bristles:** Pine Processionary-moth caterpillars have thousands of urticating bristles that inject irritants, protecting them from predators.
- **Synchronized March:** Pine Processionary-moth caterpillars move in long lines using silk trails, which helps them find food and defend.
- **Silk Fortress:** Pine Processionary-moth caterpillars construct large silk nests in pine trees, providing shelter and protection.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm
- **Size:** 30-40 mm
- **Lifespan:** 5-15 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on pine needles, while adult moths don't eat at all!

- **Age differences:** Larvae feed exclusively on conifer needles; adults do not feed.
- **Primary Foods:** Pine needles, Cedar needles, Fir needles
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Maritime pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/maritime-pine) (*Pinus pinaster*) — Caterpillars defoliate these trees, causing significant damage.
- **Hunts:** Common Cuckoo (*Cuculus canorus*) — One of the few birds that can eat the hairy caterpillars safely.
- **Parasitizes:** Pine Processionary egg parasitoid (*Ooencyrtus pityocampae*) — Tiny wasps lay eggs inside the moth's eggs, controlling populations.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

Don't touch the caterpillars, as they can make your skin itchy.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pine Processionary-moth?

Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Pine Processionary-moth's wingspan?

30-45 mm

### How big is Pine Processionary-moth?

30-40 mm

### How long does Pine Processionary-moth live?

5-15 days

### What does Pine Processionary-moth eat?

Caterpillars munch on pine needles, while adult moths don't eat at all!

### Where is Pine Processionary-moth usually found?

Forests

### How does Pine Processionary-moth hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Pine Processionary-moth have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Doñana National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/do-ana-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Pine Processionary-moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pine-processionary-moth)