Help. I was prickled by a French Caterpiller!!

[ww&w]

While visiting my sister in Brittany last week, we went to a car boot sale in the grounds of a school. I lent against a silver birch that was covered in lichen and felt something scratch my arm, looking at the tree I saw grey/blue caterpillar with orange spotting and sparse hairs crawling away. I immediately began to panic as they have a caterpillar over there called a "chenille processionnaire" ( please excuse the spelling) that has quite a nasty effect if touched. My French is very poor at the best of times and trying to identify this beasty has proved difficult. All I found out was that, it wasn't a "Chenille", but was called a grey and orange caterpillar. It blended into to it's surroundings very well and there seemed to be more around the tree.

I still have a caterpillar shaped ,raised, itchy mark on my arm. This happened at the weekend. What was this and how long before the mark goes?

The closest thing I found is a Forest Tent Caterpillar. I did take a picture, but due to the fact that I thought I faced imminent collapse it has not come out.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[Wild-Woman]

I would have thought that if you were going to have a severe reaction, that it would have happened by now. Think if it was me,I'd keep at least an anti-histamine cream or tablets around just to calm it down, should it itch still.
Otherwise I'd keep it uncovered and let nature sort it out.

As there's not a picture to id it from, it's hard to guess. Let's just hope you don't lean against another one in France! Hope the mark goes soon.

Jules

[ww&w]

Thanks for that Jules.

I have been taking anti- histamines it gives some relief . I did have some to hand when it happened as I have two young curious children, but it had little effect at the time.

I know an Id was a long shot from the description I gave, but I have scoured many caterpillar sites and forums in the hope that I can find out what it was, purely out of curiosity and to let my sister know the English name for them so she can inform any guests that stay with her (she does holiday lets) what to look out for.

And no I won't be leaning without looking, not for at least a year anyway.

G.

[mrs fish]

I found this pic
processionary caterpillars on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The processionary caterpillars were on the bbc news this morning, they have reached Belgium and could arrive over here
I have searched the bbc news but can't find the story

[Paul mabbott]

If we're talking about oak processionaries, they're already here - in London, at least:
Forest Research - Oak processionary moth - Thaumetopoea processionea

[ww&w]

Yes Paul, I think you found them. They definitely look more like the beasties I had the pleasure to meet than the chenille processionnaire ( thanks for the pic Mrs Fish) and I may find some in my back garden you say ( I live in London). Oh what joy!! Hurray for global warming!!

I'm off to stock up on antihistamines and long sleeved tops.

Thanks.

[eucera]

I am wondering if the description of the larva might not better fit Gypsy Moth?

Check these out Gypsy moth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Definitely greyish with orange spots.

Stuart