The British journal of dermatology
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The oak processionary caterpillar as the cause of an epidemic airborne disease: survey and analysis.
Thaumetopoea processionea L. (order Lepidoptera), the oak processionary moth, is found in oak forests in most European countries. Its third to sixth larval instars are armed with poisonous hairs (setae) containing an urticating toxin (thaumetopoein) potentially harmful to humans. Because T. processionea infests trees at the edges of forests or standing alone people frequently come into contact with its setae. In the woodland bordering on the western suburbs of Vienna conditions favouring its increase have led to frequent outbreaks of lepidopterism. ⋯ Lepidopterism caused by T. processionea is a public health problem of increasing significance. In years with outbreaks of the pest it can reach epidemic proportions in communities located near infested trees. Contact with airborne setae was mainly responsible for the occurrence of the disease.