BREWER — Browntail Moth caterpillars are out in Brewer.

According to a recent update from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the invasive species is developing faster in Brewer than those at other monitored sites.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says coming into contact with the toxic hairs from a Browntail moth caterpillar can cause a harmful rash similar to poison ivy and even lead to respiratory issues.

According to the Maine DACF, caterpillars at the Brewer site are 20% larger than others in Maine.

This pattern has reportedly been observed in previous years and is likely due to weather differences between sites.

The Brewer caterpillars have a length of about 0.58 inches, according to the Maine DACF.

This means the Brewer area will likely see mature Browntail moths earlier than other places in Maine.

“Some of the larger Browntail caterpillars at the Brewer monitoring site had developed broken white stripes down their back, indicative of the caterpillar nearing later instars (life stages),” an update from the Maine DACF reads. “These more mature caterpillars will begin to make excursions from their host trees, leading to more encounters.”

According to the Maine DACF, the number of toxic hairs in the environment increases as caterpillars molt and shed their outer skin.

People are encouraged to wear long sleeves, eye protection and gloves when doing yard work to avoid an interaction.