With the arrival of spring, you may see large, white, silky nests among the branches of shrubs, populated by numerous caterpillars. But in this case, it’s not the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)!
One of the species most often confused with the pine processionary moth, but one that deserves protection and attention, is Eriogaster catax, a rare and declining moth, protected at the European level by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
Eriogaster catax is one of the target species of the LIFE IMAGINE UMBRIA project. The female lays her eggs in clearly visible clusters, attached to the branches of shrubs—especially blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)—and coated with the bristles of her abdomen. In spring, the larvae emerge from the eggs: gregarious caterpillars that build large, white, silky nests.
They are NOT dangerous to humans or pets. However, their habitat is gradually disappearing due to intensive farming practices and the simplification of rural landscapes.
What to do if you encounter them?
• Don’t touch or remove them: they are a protected species.
• If you can, report your sighting to: imagine.invertebrati@icloud.com
Every report is valuable and can make a concrete contribution to the conservation of this threatened species.
LIFE IMAGINE Umbria (06/05/2025)