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P.F. ROVERSI ET AL.
by the Turkey oak Quercus cerris (Camerini, Caronni, & Roversi, 2002; Roversi,
2002). Nest construction on oak stems not only enhances risk of accidental contacts
in green areas but, mostly represents a considerable hazard for forest-workers
committed to carry out coppice cut or to collect firewood.
Figure 1. Thaumetopoea pityocampa larval procession (a), dorsum detail of a
mature larva with a “mirror” of urticating hairs (b, white circle) and SEM
magnified densely thickened urticating hairs of a “mirror” (c)
Euproctis chrysorrea (L.), a moth widespread in North Africa and Europe
including Italy, has been introduced also to North America. This species is common
from the sea level up to the beech mountain altitude, and is also frequent in coastal
environments on Arbutus unedo and in inland regions on oaks and various
Rosaceae shrubs, particularly Crataegus spp. On the latter it forms permanent
hotbeds even in urban and suburban parks. During heavy infestations it can defoliate
entire woods, making them unfit to deploy. Since the second instar, Euproctis larvae
bear, on their back, dense strands of tiny urticating hairs, 0.1 mm long, with tricuspidate
tip.
Equally important cases are reported in other geographic areas. A clear example
is the leaf skeletonizer Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera Nolidae), a serious pest of
forestry and Eucalyptus stands, particularly in risky areas (e.g., urban zones or near
waterways). Uraba lugens is widespread in the majority of Australian territory
where periodic outbreaks occur which can lead to extensive defoliations. The
species is well established also in new Zealand (Farr, 2002; Mansfield et al., 2006).
The larvae of U. lugens bear, on their back, hairs that after being thrust into man