The oak processionary moth caterpillar has caused a major stir in Denmark in recent months due to the health risks it poses to humans.
The caterpillar can trigger allergic reactions, causing rashes and severe breathing difficulties. The outbreak in Denmark has even forced several schools to temporarily close down for pest extermination to get rid of the insect.
Now, the moth has been found in Skåne. The last time such a specimen was spotted in Sweden was twelve years ago, regional newspaper Sydsvenskan reports.
Its name stems from the insect's habit of moving in tight, single-file processions once it has completely stripped an oak tree of its leaves and sets off in search of the next one.
The caterpillars build communal nests in the oak trees. Before pupating to become moths, they shed their skin several times. The shed skins, complete with the toxic hairs, remain in the nests, and the hairs can then be carried by the wind. People standing underneath a tree with a nest risk getting the caterpillar hairs on them.
Didrik Vanhoenacker, a biologist at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, stressed that isolated sightings have occurred in Skåne before. A single moth is not a sign that the species has taken root in the region.
"A solitary male isn't going to produce any babies," he told the TT news agency.
However, given its proximity to the Danish island of Amager, where the species has established a foothold, he believes there is good reason to stay vigilant, but said its nickname was overly dramatic.
"Look, annoying stinging hairs are one thing, but we aren't talking about shrapnel here. At some point people need to not rock the boat, keep cool, and remember there are places in the world where things genuinely are hell," he said.