UK Gardeners Warned Not To Touch 'Toxic' Caterpillar This June

The Oak Processionary MothGardeners’ joy is sunbathers’ misery; many of us will be glad for the return of rain (especially following fears of drought this summer). It means heatwave-battling measures, like placing a pan of water in your garden, chucking stones on your soil, and even doing a knuckle test to assess plants’ hydration, can be put aside for now. But ecology specialists at Arbtech.co.uk have issued a different warning to gardeners – the oak processionary moth (OPM) caterpillar, whose populations boom in early summer, will appear in UK woodlands and gardens this summer. Crawling over oak bark from late March to early August, the critters can be harmful to humans and dogs and should be reported to the Forestry Commission if either they or their nest is spotted.How can I spot an oak processionary caterpillar?According to Forest Research, we should be on the lookout for 2-3cm-long caterpillars which have a plain grey body and a dark head with long white hairs.Though the invasive OPM caterpillar looks similar to some harmless native species, like the lackey moth and brown tail moth caterpillars, its location and movements will reveal its toxicity. “Hairy caterpillars which are not on oak or are not associated with a silk nest are almost certainly not (oak processionary moths),” the experts advise.“They are not usually found on fences, walls and similar structures, such as garden furniture – these tend to be other, similar-looking caterpillars.” OPM caterpillars move in groups, creating an “arrow-headed”, nose-to-tail formation on oak trees.They are especially common in London and the south-east, but are increasingly spreading across the rest of the UK. The Forestry Commission has created a map tracking the caterpillars’ sightings, which you can see here.Why should I be worried about OPM caterpillars?Their hairs contain an irritating protein called thaumetopoein that creates painful skin rashes, eye irritation, sore throats, and even breathing problems among people (this can be worse for dogs).The poison is especially likely to harm us in May and June, as many OPM caterpillars reach adulthood.“In some cases, dogs can end up needing emergency treatment after contact or ingestion,” an Arbtech ecologist told us. “The caterpillars are most active in early summer, so it’s really important... to be aware of the risks when spending time outdoors, particularly if you live near oak trees.” Avoid any trees where the caterpillars are visible, keep your dog on a lead in wooded or oak-heavy areas, inspect trees in your own garden, and seek medical or veterinary help if you or your dog have come into contact with them.The ecologists add that you should never touch OPM caterpillars, “even if they look inactive or dead”.Additionally, you should report the OPM caterpillar to the Forestry Commission because they can leave struggling oak trees even more vulnerable to disease.Related...Monty Don Urges UK Gardeners To Do 1 Job First Thing In The Morning This JuneUK Gardeners Advised To Place Lemon Peel On Vegetable PatchesUK Gardeners Advised To Place Onions On Their Lawn

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