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WARNING Oak Processionary Caterpillar

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NudeJude Mon 30-Apr-18 16:46:54

I've been talking to a friend today who runs a garden nursery, and he asked me if I'd seen a warning that he put out on our local 'Nextdoor' website, I hadn't, but when I got home I read this, and thought that gardeners and children in particular should be warned, although I think it would be sensible to make as many people, aware of this as possible.

WARNING
This caterpillar has just arrived from the EU. It is very dangerous. It has long white hairs add short black hairs. Normally moves in twos and threes. It is covered in at least 5.000 hairs and everyone is toxic. If you touch 1 hair you will quickly start to feel sick. Your eyes will itch and start to close and in general you will feel quite ill. When the hairs are shed they will remain toxic for up to 5 years. If you see one do not touch or try to kill with anything that may cause hairs to be dispersed, such as putting your foot on it.

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loopyloo Tue 01-May-18 08:10:05

What should we do? Spray it with insecticide?

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Greyduster Tue 01-May-18 08:30:38

Just read about this. Rather alarming, especially for people with children and dogs. At the moment it seems to be confined to the South East, but it behoves all of us who spend time in woodlands to be vigilant. I don’t suppose birds eat them, then?

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Welshwife Tue 01-May-18 08:38:59

These caterpillars are laid in nests mostly in pine trees - they are very obvious as they have a nest which looks as if it is made from the filling of a duvet. They cannot survive very cold weather so in the French countryside it is not unknown for them to be shot at when it is a very cold day so that the eggs/larvae die when they are exposed.
If you are driving on French motorway during the winter you will see the trees with sort of bunches of pines with these nests on them - they do eventually kill the tree too.
If you google -pine processionary caterpillars - you will get a number of articles.

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Panache Tue 01-May-18 08:45:43

With our garden having several old oak trees and a wealth of pines, this article has indeed given me serious food for thought,thank you for bringing it to our attention Nudejude,we shall now be on our guard.
Although only in the south east just yet there is every chance it will spread.
I am about to go a googling.

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Moocow Tue 01-May-18 18:30:13

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43930702
I read about it too. Above is a link with a picture. Keeping fingers crossed I never come across one.

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loopyloo Sat 05-May-18 19:05:31

Yes apparently the forestry commission should be contacted if you see them.

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