A danger many underestimate lurks in the pine forests across Macedonia. The hairs of the pine processionary - a caterpillar that attacks pines - are like miniature poisoned arrows, and dermatologists warn: do not touch either the caterpillar or its nests.

The pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is a forest pest present in several regions - it has been spotted near Kocani, Sveti Nikole, Stip and elsewhere. The danger does not come from a bite, but from the tiny hairs on the caterpillar's body, which detach and fly through the air. They can cause serious health problems - from skin rashes and allergic reactions to eye irritation, and they are especially dangerous for pets that instinctively sniff at them.

The problem is that the danger is invisible. The caterpillars move in characteristic rows - hence the name "processionary," from their march one behind another - and leave hairs everywhere they pass. Even an abandoned nest in a tree can stay toxic for months. Parents of small children and dog owners are the most exposed, because both children and animals make their first contact with nature through their hands and nose.

This is one of those cases where public health depends on awareness, not on institutions. No one is going to put up a sign in front of every pine tree. So the advice is simple - if you see a row of hairy caterpillars or white cottony nests in a pine forest, keep your distance, and keep the children and pets away. Nature is not always as harmless as it looks on a walk.