I happened to be hiking alone (thanks to the rest of my group for turning back after 3 miles....) somewhere on Porquerolles Island.
Came upon these most unusual caterpillars (well actually I almost stepped on them....) and I was fascinated by them!
Thank goodness I didn't pick one up, as we used to do when we were children!
Our friends, Uschi and John, told us that these are very dangerous caterpillars in Europe, especially in the south of France!
They said that the French will usually burn the caterpillar nests from the trees while the Germans shoot them out!

Processionary caterpillars represent a public health hazard because they have thousands of hairs which contain an urticating, or irritating, protein called thaumetopoein.
These hairs can be blown by the wind into contact with people and animals, resulting in painful skin irritations and rashes and, in some cases, allergic reactions in some people and animals.

Learn more about these hairy beasts HERE