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Britons have been warned to be on the lookout for poisonous caterpillars that can irritate humans, be fatal to dogs and irritate oaks.

The alarm was given by the Forestry Commission, which warned that caterpillars “should not be touched under any circumstances.”

The suspected culprit, the brown-tailed moth, is not uncommon in the UK and can usually be found near vegetation in the spring.

But when the creature is in the caterpillar stage, it can shed annoying hairs in the hair, which can cause skin irritation.

In addition to severely affecting some people, these dander can be fatal for dogs.

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According to Bulldogology, there are insects, such as the brown-tailed moth caterpillar, which have venom or venom that acts upon contact or ingestion.

This can cause serious discomfort to your puppy through stomach upset, diarrhea, or even injury, making caterpillars potentially toxic to human companions.

Dog owners have also been warned that dogs can inadvertently fall victim to the toxic effects of chemicals in insecticides if owners choose to spray them to kill insects.

People have been warned not to touch the dangerous creatures (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Insecticides are a very popular way to get rid of these pests, but they can also be toxic to your four-legged friend.

However, if your dog picks up one of the critters on its body, hairless areas of the body may develop a rash or dermatitis, in areas such as the belly, muzzle, or shaved udder.

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The brown-tailed moth is brown in color, has a white dotted line on each side, and two very distinctive red dots on the back of the tail.

The caterpillars live in groups and you can also see the communal “tents” they use mainly to shelter from bad weather, but also to hibernate in winter.

These clumps of cobweb-like material will release irritating hair when disturbed, which is why it’s important to take protective measures when carrying out any treatment.

The brown tail moth caterpillar is not a recognized public health pest, therefore councils and most local governments do not provide such a service.

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