Caterpillar attack!

[Mark Bolam]

Took down a pear tree and reduced a small apple yesterday. They were both crawling (!) with hairy caterpillars (gypsy moth?).

 

By the time we got home, groungie and me had to strip off to waist and hose ourselves down in the garden, we were so itchy.

 

Replaced infested shirts with snow white Stihl promotional t-shirts. Went to price a clearance job and was accepted on the spot because of our smart and professional appearance!

 

Thanks hairy hubert!

[David Humphries]

Sounds a nightmare.

 

Would think it prudent to contact Forest Research.

 

 

 

 

Christine Tilbury

 

Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge,

Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH

tel. 01420 22255, fax. 01420 23653,

e-mail [email protected]

 

or

Central Science Laboratory, c/o Invertebrate

Diagnosis Section, Sand Hutton, York YO41

1LZ.

tel. 01904 462364, fax 01904 462250,

email [email protected])

 

 

 

.

[Mark Bolam]

Seriously Dave?

[David Humphries]

A good few caterpillars out there that have serious health implications for man and beast.

 

Brown taled Moth & Oak Prossesionary Moth amongst others.

 

I know BTM is currently in both Barnet and Epping for sure.

 

Worth checking to be on the safe side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Mark Bolam]

I now have hideous rash all over my upper torso!

 

Been Googling away, and BTM sounds possible. One of the little critters was over 3 inches long though! (most were about an inch). Wouldn't fancy being around when that bad boy emerges from his chrysalis! Bird eating moth?

 

I'll try and ring those nos. now Dave.

[Mark Bolam]

Blimey.

 

Just rang the lab in York.

 

Have you seen outbreak with Dustin Hoffman....

[geoff]

I had the same problem last year,btm, the rash stayed for about 3 days,and itched / burned like mad! I squashed him unashamedly.

[Arbocop]

umm

 

prob good old BTM very common to the east ofthe capital one of its strong holds for many years was Canvey Island were lepodoperi hunters traveld to collect and see it. i spent many years as part of a controll team and latterly managing said team. there are lots of pics of it on the net and a pear would be a host.

 

unlikly to be OPM but worth a pic and a call to cristine

 

lots of calomine lotion and cool baths

 

youll servive it probably looks like chicen pox.

 

kev

[Bushbaby]

By the time we got home, groungie and me had to strip off to waist and hose ourselves down in the garden, we were so itchy.

 

yes..... caterpillars..... of course dear, we believe you!

[Mesterh]

yes..... caterpillars..... of course dear, we believe you!

 

Hmm thats what I thought, tops off spraying each other with a hose, very dodgy