Thaumetopoea is a genus of moths belonging to the family Notodontidae.

In their caterpillar form, they bear the vernacular name of processionary because their gregarious larvae conspicuously move in single file.

[2] The caterpillars carry urticating hairs which cause health problems in humans.

[3] The etymology of the name of the genus is from the Greek words θαυματόεις (thaumatóeis), "marvellous",[dubious – discuss] and ποιεῖν (poieîn), "to create", thus meaning "creating wonder", i.e. "looking remarkable".

[4][5] This explains why the name is sometimes spelled Thaumatopoea, i.e. in the Latinized form of θαυματοποιία thaumatopoiia "marvellous achievement" (cf.