Don't Touch

[Peter Dexter]

I don't know which species this is but it will have poison glands at the base of the "hairs". Those hairs will break easily at the tip if touched and inject a venom that will cause a painful sting.There is a species in Brazil, Lonomia obliqua that can be fatal.

 

[Asher Kelman]

What is it that might tell s bird not to eat it!

 

[Peter Dexter]

Maybe the spines?

 

[nicolas claris]

Looks line an isolated Pine processionary
South of France (from East to West) has been invaded by millions, very dangerous, you can die from suffocation if you ingest them (I know a dog that died from them). I don't know how we could practically eradicate them in France...
We had some in our garden when we lived in South-East of France, the only way to destroy them was to burn them…

At first they are agglomerated (like wasps) in the branches of pines, hence their name.

 

[Paul Iddon]

Loved hairy caterpillars as a kid...

Paul.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Maybe the spines?

As long as it just makes the bird sick and not end it’s life! What lesson does one learn when dead!

.....or perhaps, if the poison acts swiftly, OTHER vertebrate would-be attackers, learn fast from the event they witness and spread the word, “Don't dare bite with this hairy pest!”

 

[Antonio Correia]

Nicolas is right !
It can be dangerous. Do not touch.
They kill pine trees.