Thaumetopoea
Thaumetopoea is a genus of moths belonging to the family Notodontidae. It was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1820.
In their caterpillar form, they bear the vernacular name of processionary because their gregarious larvae conspicuously move in single file. The adults live a few days without feeding.
Some Thaumetopoea species, for example Thaumetopoea pityocampa, are expanding their range towards higher latitudes and altitudes due to the current climate warming. The caterpillars carry urticating hairs which cause health problems in humans.
Systematics
The etymology of the name of the genus is from the Greek words and, "to create", thus meaning "creating wonder", i.e. "looking remarkable". This explains why the name is sometimes spelled Thaumatopoea, i.e. in the Latinized form of θαυματοποιία thaumatopoiia "marvellous achievement".The genus Thaumetopoea contains the following species:Thaumetopoea bonjeani - cedar processionaryThaumetopoea herculeana Rambur, 1840Thaumetopoea pinivora or Traumatocampa pinivora - eastern pine processionaryThaumetopoea pityocampa or Traumatocampa pityocampa - pine processionaryThaumetopoea processionea - oak processionaryThaumetopoea solitaria - pistachio processionary or solitaryThaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams, 1924 or Traumatocampa wilkinsoni Thaumetopoea hellenica