Species of lepidopterans include the oak and pine processionary caterpillars.
Time and place of contact: usually during summer and fall in woodlands
Methods of contact:
(1) direct handling
(2) ingestion (usually by children)
(3) airborne release of caterpillar hairs (setae). This usually requires large numbers of caterpillars.
Types of response:
(1) allergic dermatitis (urticaria, papules, etc.)
(2) conjunctivitis
(3) oropharyngeal
(4) gastrointestinal
(5) respiratory (asthma, exacerbation of COPD)
(6) anaphylaxis
(7) systemic responses (nausea, malaise, anorexia, etc.)
Mechanism for the reaction:
(1) non-IgE mediated release of histamine by thaumetopoein or a related protein
(2) IgE-mediated allergic reaction
