Killer ‘pillars!

File under sci-fi, bizarre or cool–your choice! Apparently the UK has been invaded by killer caterpillars. Seriously. The Oak Processionary has hitched a ride into the country via imported lumber and has been found in the west London area.

The caterpillar is armed with up to 63,000 toxin-filled bristles that will cause a nasty rash. Worse still, the bristles can become airborne and cause epidemic caterpillar dermatitis. I am not kidding! Read all about it here.

The moral of the story is that if you see one of these, you should leave it alone! And please notify your local authority of any sightings so they can do something about them before we end up like the Netherlands where 20,000 people needed treatment during an outbreak ten years ago.

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