Caterpillars that can cause nasty rashes, asthma attacks and eye irritations are on the march across Britain. Oak processionary moth larvae have already been spotted in the south-east of England.
The wrigglers are highly toxic and arrived in the UK from mainland Europe in 2005 on oak trees imported from Holland. They can pose a threat to humans, pets and farm livestock.
Hairs on the creepy crawlies contain the toxin thaumetopoein, which can also lead to painful throat irritations, vomiting, dizziness and fever.
Each caterpillar has 63,000 hairs, although health experts warn you do not even need to be in direct contact with them to be affected.