Oak Processionary Moth

[sean]

So here are the nests of OPM. Last year we found 7 and already this year we are in the 20's.....it seems the march is on. Very difficult to spot from the ground these ones I found whilst deadwooding. 2 active nests and 1 from last year.

A pattern is emerging, all but 1 has been found on the south/south west side of the tree so it seems they like the sun! We have been removing the nests and have a possible 3 more weeks before they turn to moths and take flight. With 1500 or so vet oaks and 1000's more they may find they have all they need here and its not looking good.

 

Keep your eyes peeled and DONT TOUCH!.....reort to the forestry commission if found.

[David Humphries]

good shots sean.

 

What PPE are you wearing to deal with them?

 

Are they incinerated.

 

 

LTOA are having there next quarterly (on OPM) at Syon Park on the 23rd of June.

A few places left apparantly.

 

 

 

 

 

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[sean]

The nests are incinerated yes David........I havent been involved in the removal as yet although will be there tomorrow. Rubber suits worn so can wash down afterwards and gloves of course.

 

Syon Pk sounds interesting......how do i get a place on that? Not being a tree officer an all>

[David Humphries]

Give Becky a ring 07771 976238.

 

or try e-mailing her London Tree Officer's Association - Contact the LTOA

 

You should become a member sean.

 

Very good network.

 

Quite often bump in to Bill there.

 

 

 

 

We caught one male OPM in the pheramone traps last year.

 

Not heard any females have made it this far (12 miles) yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited June 15, 2010 by Monkey-D

[sean]

Bological warfare???........nope caterpillar removal!!

[David Humphries]

What in heavens name is that weird silvery metal thing that your in?

 

 

Good job were not in a heat wave.

 

 

How long are you doing this?

 

 

 

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[sean]

With advice from Forestry Commision we are removing nests that are on trees within close proximity of public areas. The rest are being saved until around the 28th of this month which is around the time the caterpillars up in the 'satellite' nests up in the canopy return to the main nests ready for pupation. We will then remove these nests in the hope that the population within 1 tree have all collated at this stage. We are basically putting aside a week from 28th for caterpillar warfare.

 

There are quite a few volunteers out spotting everyday at the moment plus us and the gamekeepers. Although we are finding a few a day i am sure this number represents but a fraction!

[sean]

Lots more nests found today.....13 in 1 tree including a couple from last year. All nests found so far have been from one side of the park but today we found lots on the other side (approx 3 miles away). Will be donning the gimp suit tomorrow to remove some and unfortunately will have to climb a couple of trees as mewp cant be used......man its going to be HOT!!!!

 

Heres some photos of the beasties in processionary mode and then the beginnings of nest formation where they gather and spin their nests. Normally they are all tucked up in their beds/nests by 9.30 am but today on one particular tree they were out and about at 1.30pm....most unusuall. Dirty stopouts. Fascinating creatures but a bloody pain.

[David Humphries]

Interesting that sean.

 

was litterally across the water from you today at Syon with the LTOA looking at nests & how they are dealing with them there.

 

we didn't see any processions today, plenty of nests though.

Didn't realise that you can pick up there previous routes from nest to feeding area by the trail of silk left behind, like in picture 3.

 

glad we don't have to deal with the nests up in North London (yet)

 

 

 

Heard (from FC) that there is thought toward using Deltamethren (which works on all instars) at Richmond, which sounds on the face of it as a little foolhardy to say the least, as it's obviously sssi & the chem pretty much knocks out all localised bio diversity

 

Shame you couldn't make it today, think you would of found it interesting.

I'm sure Bill may have found how Gristwoods are dealing with it interesting also.

 

FC were stressing that any climbing equipment used in rope access nest work, should be destroyed at the end of the season, in terms of handling during Loler inspection.

 

 

 

 

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[sean]

So once again we embark on nest removal......Removed quite a few yesterday some were instar 2/3 others had moved on to instar 4. Last piccie is of a nest where the caterpillars have shed skins and moved on to next instar of which there are 6 in all. They shed there skin 5 times before this stage.....mad!

 

Also finding them very low down on small trees as can be seen and also nesting on the end of very slender twigs.

We've certainly got our work cut out this year thats for sure:thumbdown: