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The public are being urged today (Wednesday 28 May) to be vigilant for any sightings of oak processionary moth caterpillars, a tree pest which can strip oak trees of their foliage and leave them susceptible to disease.

The caterpillars 鈥� predominantly found in South East England 鈥� descend down聽oak trees in head-to-tail聽processionary form, occasionally taking the form of an arrow shape, earning them their name. They feed on the leaves as they migrate causing the leaves to sometimes drop off聽which negatively聽impacts their growth. This can weaken the tree and leave it more vulnerable to other stresses, such as drought and further diseases.聽

The warning has been issued today by the Forestry Commission who are urging the public to report any sightings via the聽聽or by聽email to聽[email protected].

Oak processionary moth聽was first identified in London in 2006 after being accidentally transported over from Europe in trees for planting. It has since spread to surrounding counties in the South East, and last July, a small outbreak of the caterpillars was found at a site designated free from the pest.

OPM caterpillars and their nests,聽which聽are made of distinctive white silken webbing, contain hairs that can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritation and should not be touched under any circumstances. The nests can be found in the trunk or branches of oak trees, and fade to a light brown over time. The public are urged never to try and dispose of the nests themselves.聽

Forestry Commission Oak Processionary Moth Programme Manager Dr Edward Straw said:聽

鈥淭he warm weather in spring has led to oak processionary moth growing quicker than in previous years. We鈥檙e already receiving reports of homeowners being affected by the caterpillars, coming out in painful rashes, and it is important those living聽and working聽in areas affected by oak processionary moth remain vigilant about the health risks they pose.

鈥淭he Forestry Commission has a whole host of information online that can be used to identify the moth, simply visit聽managing oak processionary moth in England. If you spot the pest, report the sighting via our聽聽. Alternatively, you can email聽[email protected].鈥�

The Forestry Commission continues to undertake a rapid management response聽and extensive surveillance work is in place to monitor the area and continue to direct appropriate control measures to prevent the potential spread of OPM.

Professor Nicola Spence, UK Chief Plant Health Officer, said:聽

鈥淥ak trees are an iconic and much-loved part of our British landscape. By reporting any sightings of the oak processionary moth to the Forestry Commission, we can all minimise the pest鈥檚 spread as well as reduce their impact on tree health.聽

鈥淚 would advise that members of the public living in London, the surrounding areas and Derbyshire, avoid any contact with the caterpillar and its nests, as this can cause irritation.鈥�

By identifying threats such as pests and diseases, we protect the benefits plants provide to the public, to wildlife, the environment, and our economy. More information can be found on the聽听飞别产蝉颈迟别.听

How to identify Oak processionary moth caterpillars聽

• Nests are typically dome or teardrop-shaped, averaging the size of a tennis ball. They are white when fresh, but soon become discoloured and brown. The caterpillars have black heads and bodies covered in long white hairs which contain proteins which can cause itchy rashes, eye, and throat irritations. They can also occasionally cause breathing difficulties in people and pets, so should not be touched under any circumstances.聽
• 础听public information leaflet covering how to identify聽OPM and methods to control is available,
• There is also a document outlining species commonly confused with OPM which can be found聽.
• For more information, visit聽鈥�Managing Oak Processionary Moth in England鈥�.听

Contact with Oak Processionary Moth

• Following possible OPM contact, visit your pharmacist for relief from milder skin or eye irritations. Consult a GP or call NHS111 for more serious reactions. Contact a vet if animals are seriously affected.聽
• 础苍听聽and the聽聽is available.聽聽
• 础听聽has been developed by the Tree Council, in partnership with Forest Research.聽
• 础听
• The Tree Health Pilot scheme offers a聽local authority grant for oak with聽OPM. It supports local authorities in the聽OPM聽鈥檈stablished area鈥� to organise surveying of oak trees for聽OPM聽and create an聽OPM聽management plan and communications strategy to understand the risks and appropriate management of the affected area. Funding is also available for communications materials such as signage, and biosecurity items including boot cleaning equipment and red tape/posts for cordoning off areas. For more information and details of how to apply see聽/government/publications/tree-health-pilot-scheme-2024/grants-for-oak-with-oak-processionary-moth-opm