Brown tail month caterpillars

[Acg128]

Anyone else coming accross loads of these? Mostly in fruit trees and hawthorn.. One of the lads got 2 on his t shirt and the rash was horrendous! Had headaches etc

[geoff]

Not a nice thing to get up your shirt, or on soft skin such as inner arm, I saw a good few last year but did not get had by them, purely because they give a good beep on my radar now.

Good heads up to those who have not had the pleasure!

[sean]

Thought maybe this should go here for recognition purposes for those who do not know what they look like.

[Acg128]

2 on his t shirt caused itching leading to headaches and drowsiness 3 days later the rash was at it worst. I've since looked at 3 more jobs all with the caterpillars still thriving. Googled them and they can affect breathing apparently.. Few months back when they were in the cocoons they were easily worked around but now they are out literally the trees are covered!

[Rock Monkey]

Can be v nasty if you have asthma I've heard. I was in Norfolk over Easter and saw thousands of them on the trees in the dunes.

 

 

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[welwell]

yeah spotted a load in Whitstable last week

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

The hazards associated with BTM are very similar to those of OPM, in terms of urticating hairs causing irritation of skin, eyes and bronchial system etc., and look how much attention they get.

 

Not to be overlooked, or ignored, if encountered steer clear or get out the full spray suit PPE to protect you.

 

Thanks for posting and alerting others and hope "the lads" are soon feeling better

 

Cheers..

Paul

[Matthew Arnold]

Mullered a few on some blackthorn suckers on a right of way today

[dexta]

Came across this the other day just looked it up and I think it's the larvae of the rare goat moth. I reckon it was about 3" long. I have never seen one before

[Bren.]

It's unlikely that that is a goat moth, unless you found it in some timber as they live and feed inside the wood of living trees. Although I must say, it does look like one.