OPM advaning in my Borough

[janey]

See if you can spot them (three normal res' piccies the three close ups):

[janey]

They have been in Ealing for a couple of years now. It was initially a small, isolated outbreak that was unfortunately near to the overground sections of two tube lines. So guess where the new sites are occuring? Yep, along and adjacent to the embankments. The speed at which these things are spreading is frightening.

 

Unfortunely, there is still no joined up thinking with how to deal with them . We know where they are and their consequenses, but we don't know how to effectively get rid of them. One poor householder in the Borough has been served notice (not sure under which Regs...) to remove them and / or their oak tree, yet no one has told them how to do it!!!

 

And yes, they really are THAT BAD. A couple of years ago I was left with a very painfull, tight chest just from getting cloes enough to a small nest to take photos and a large colony can easily defoliate a mature oak.

 

So keep 'em peeled.

[nepia]

In my case janey you're talking to someone who's only recently learnt what OPM stands for! Pics of oaks I see but what am I missing...? Jon.

[Craig F-J]

In my case janey you're talking to someone who's only recently learnt what OPM stands for! Pics of oaks I see but what am I missing...? Jon.

 

And lots who don't yet know, myself included:confused1:

[nepia]

Oak Processionary Moth (I hope!)

[janey]

Sorry, I keep on forgetting there's a whole, big world outside of London .

 

OPM - Oak processionary moth, Thaumetopoea processionea.

 

Arrived from the Continent about four years ago on imported Quercus that were then planted at a site in South West London. Since then they have been spreading rapidly and can be found at multiple sites in South and West London.

 

They can cause total defoliation on oaks (and occasionally other Fagales when food is scarce), but the main concern from them is to human health.

 

They are covered in urticating (irritating) hairs from about the third instar which can cause extreme reactions in mammals. I think that includes most of us... They are a bit like BTM, but a much, much worse. You don't even need to be in contact with them, just being down wind is enough to get asthma like symtoms and irritated eyes, nose etc.

 

They really are nasty wee buggers. The nests are very hard to spot, even when you are specifically looking for them. That's what the pictures above are. They look just light dappled light or occluded wounds on the underside of limbs. Should've got my photoshop skills brushed off and put some arrows in or somethin'.

 

See Forest Research - Oak processionary moth - Thaumetopoea processionea

Edited June 27, 2009 by janey

[janey]

See them now?

[Craig F-J]

Thanks Janey. Whilst we are at it, BTM??

 

Is this still a southern problem only?

[janey]

Thanks Janey. Whilst we are at it, BTM??

 

Is this still a southern problem only?

 

Brown Tail Moth is UK wide on Roseacea, especially Crataegus.

 

The over use of acronyms may be a predominently Southern problem, though

[Marc]

Get suited and booted get up there and burn the blighters out of the tree, nasty job but i'd do it.