Thaumetopoeidae
A small family of nocturnal, grayish moths (Lepidoptera) with tufted posterior segments. The gregarious larvae live in webbed nests; during dark periods they move out in processions (hence “processionary caterpillars”) to their feeding sites. The larvae bear stinging poisonous setae with hook-like tips that easily break off, causing eye and respiratory inflammation. Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni and Thaumetopoea pityocampa are pests of pines in the Middle East.
Thaumetopoea pityocampa