This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/30/oak-processionary-moth-population-exploding-in-london

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oak processionary moth population exploding in London Oak processionary moth population exploding in London
(about 4 hours later)
Populations of toxic oak processionary moth (OPM) ‘exploded’ this summer despite control efforts, spreading from west London to as far as Stratford’s Olympic Park.Populations of toxic oak processionary moth (OPM) ‘exploded’ this summer despite control efforts, spreading from west London to as far as Stratford’s Olympic Park.
Children at a school have been affected and arborists at Kew Gardens have developed rashes after being stung by the poisonous hairs shed by the moth’s caterpillars, which appear from late spring to early summer.Children at a school have been affected and arborists at Kew Gardens have developed rashes after being stung by the poisonous hairs shed by the moth’s caterpillars, which appear from late spring to early summer.
The invasive caterpillars feed voraciously on oak leaves. They have no natural predators in England and have established in west London since they were believed to have arrived on oak saplings imported from Holland in 2005. The invasive caterpillars feed voraciously on oak leaves. They have few natural predators in England and have established in west London since they were believed to have arrived on oak saplings imported from Holland in 2005.
Public Health England said 30 children had developed minor rashes at a school in south London after coming into contact with caterpillar hairs during the early summer. None of the children suffered serious side effects.
This year’s mild winter and spring helped the moth to breed prolifically, spreading to gardens and parks in new areas. One nest was found in the London Olympic site, seven miles outside the 2013 infestation zone.This year’s mild winter and spring helped the moth to breed prolifically, spreading to gardens and parks in new areas. One nest was found in the London Olympic site, seven miles outside the 2013 infestation zone.
A Forestry Commission spokesman said the occurrence in Stratford was being taken very seriously: “The nests and tree were destroyed before any adult moths could emerge and breed, and all oak trees within a two-km radius were surveyed, but no further evidence of OPM presence in the area was found,” he said.A Forestry Commission spokesman said the occurrence in Stratford was being taken very seriously: “The nests and tree were destroyed before any adult moths could emerge and breed, and all oak trees within a two-km radius were surveyed, but no further evidence of OPM presence in the area was found,” he said.
At the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew it was after the worst year for the moth since it arrived. A “population explosion” had seen between 600 and 1,000 nests appearing on site, said Tony Kirkham, head of the arboretum.At the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew it was after the worst year for the moth since it arrived. A “population explosion” had seen between 600 and 1,000 nests appearing on site, said Tony Kirkham, head of the arboretum.
Usually caterpillars stayed in the treetops away from guests, Kirkham said, but this summer saw vast numbers swarming around the base of tree trunks – behaviour never before seen at the gardens. “Everyone’s scratching their head as to what’s going on. It’s been an unusual year.”Usually caterpillars stayed in the treetops away from guests, Kirkham said, but this summer saw vast numbers swarming around the base of tree trunks – behaviour never before seen at the gardens. “Everyone’s scratching their head as to what’s going on. It’s been an unusual year.”
Kirkham said he now accepted that annual chemical control was necessary. But the moths are in such large numbers in the gardens and the surrounding suburbs that eradication would not be possible “in a million years”, he said.Kirkham said he now accepted that annual chemical control was necessary. But the moths are in such large numbers in the gardens and the surrounding suburbs that eradication would not be possible “in a million years”, he said.
Both the Forestry Commission and Kirkham said they had not seen any evidence of trees being killed by defoliation from the caterpillars. Oaks are quite hardy, said Kirkham. “The main problem for us is [the health of] visitors and staff.”Both the Forestry Commission and Kirkham said they had not seen any evidence of trees being killed by defoliation from the caterpillars. Oaks are quite hardy, said Kirkham. “The main problem for us is [the health of] visitors and staff.”
The caterpillars shed hairs, which blow on the wind and can cause skin, eye and throat irritations for humans and animals. A number of Kew staff, including Kirkham, had suffered from rashes on more than one occasion. “It’s uncomfortable, itchy and irritating. I’m itching now just thinking about it,” he said. Once the hairs get lodged in clothing they are impossible to wash out and the clothing has to be thrown away.The caterpillars shed hairs, which blow on the wind and can cause skin, eye and throat irritations for humans and animals. A number of Kew staff, including Kirkham, had suffered from rashes on more than one occasion. “It’s uncomfortable, itchy and irritating. I’m itching now just thinking about it,” he said. Once the hairs get lodged in clothing they are impossible to wash out and the clothing has to be thrown away.
The infestation in west London is the largest of three areas where the moth has been regularly found. In Bromley and Croydon in south London, nests were found both inside and outside the previous outbreak area.The infestation in west London is the largest of three areas where the moth has been regularly found. In Bromley and Croydon in south London, nests were found both inside and outside the previous outbreak area.
In Sulham Woods in Berkshire, where aerial spraying occurred in 2013 and 2014, no nests were found for the second year running and just three male moths were caught in pheromone traps during the summer. The Forestry Commission said it was “cautiously optimistic” that the species was almost eradicated from the area.In Sulham Woods in Berkshire, where aerial spraying occurred in 2013 and 2014, no nests were found for the second year running and just three male moths were caught in pheromone traps during the summer. The Forestry Commission said it was “cautiously optimistic” that the species was almost eradicated from the area.
The Guardian reported in May that the spraying in Berkshire had occurred against the advice of Natural England, which had warned of the effects on other wildlife. A Forestry Commission spokesman said that it did not share these concerns.The Guardian reported in May that the spraying in Berkshire had occurred against the advice of Natural England, which had warned of the effects on other wildlife. A Forestry Commission spokesman said that it did not share these concerns.
“Only a small proportion of Sulham Woods received aerial treatment, so this, and the treatment product, timing and methods used, will have ensured that the overall effect on other species in the woodland would have been small. Any other species affected will soon re-colonise the area from other woodland nearby,” he said.“Only a small proportion of Sulham Woods received aerial treatment, so this, and the treatment product, timing and methods used, will have ensured that the overall effect on other species in the woodland would have been small. Any other species affected will soon re-colonise the area from other woodland nearby,” he said.
Public Health England were contacted repeatedly for information about a school which was affected in London, however they declined to give any more information other than to confirm an incident had occurred.