Locals in Noosa are freaked out - but can you tell what this is?
An outbreak of hairy caterpillars is terrifying residents of southeast Queensland with some branding the invasion as their "worst nightmare".
The sudden spike has been documented in a series of posts on social media by residents in the Noosa Heads area who have been shocked by the sheer numbers of the intruders.
Noosaville resident Leah Anderson shared remarkable images of hundreds of caterpillars that have descended on her home. Her porch can be seen swamped with the caterpillars which also form a continuous trail around the side of her home.
"At first glance I thought it was a dead cat on the doorstep, second glance I didn't know whether to laugh or cry," Ms Anderson told Yahoo7 News.
Her post prompted others to share similar images from other households that had also been swarmed by the caterpillars.
The species of caterpillar, believed to be Ochrogaster lunifera, are a sub-species of the bag-shelter moth and pose a threat to pets if eaten. Worryingly, they can cause birth defects to foals and even cause sudden abortion for horses.
The insect, more commonly known as "itchy grubs" or "procession caterpillars", due to how they congregate in a line, can also cause irritation with humans' skin if coming into contact with them.
“It’s important to be careful and to wear protective equipment when handling caterpillar material as the hairs can cause skin irritation and potentially get into eyes,” University of Queensland School of Biological Sciences Professor Myron Zalucki said.
Scientific Pest Management owner Brett Johnstone told The Sunshine Coast Daily that the spate of wet weather was to most likely to blame, prompting caterpillars that gather at the base of trees to find solace elsewhere.
Mr Johnstone said the extreme heat coupled with the rain may have forced the insects into another life cycle, rocketing numbers before September when numbers generally rise.
The caterpillars have also been spotted in other areas of Queensland with state capital Brisbane also a hotbed for the insects.
Julie Vidler was walking her dog in Forest Lake when she and her dog came across a huge congregation of the caterpillars.
Kristin Jenkins was camping with her family in Boooloumba Creek near the Sunshine Coast when they were given a rude awakening as caterpillars, which appear to be a different species to Ochrogaster lunifera, descended on their tents.
"It was strange, they were just following each other like that. The kids were a bit spooked," Ms Jenkins told Yahoo7 News.
Hundreds of stunned Facebook users have commented on the images of the caterpillars, with many revealing their horror.
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"My son's worst nightmare!" one comment read.
"You need fire. Lots and lots of fire," another suggested.
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