Poisonous caterpillar Oak processionary moth also discovered in Bonn
Bonn · The infestation has also reached Bonn: nests of oak processionary moth caterpillars have been found on a tree in Bonn’s Rheinaue. The city reacted immediately.
The infestation has also reached Bonn. The dangerous oak processionary moth caterpillar was discovered a few days ago in a common oak in the Rheinaue. “This is the first and so far the only case in Bonn,” explained city spokesperson Marc Hoffmann. The nests and the caterpillars were immediately vacuumed from the affected tree. There were three nests, each around the size of a tennis ball. “Vacuuming with an industrial vacuum cleaner is the most effective method of removing them,” added Hoffmann. An examination of neighbouring trees was negative.
The tiny hairs on the black and white caterpillars are dangerous to humans. They are toxic and can cause severe allergic reactions on contact with the skin. Irritation of the respiratory tract and asthma attacks are also possible. The so-called ‘stinging hairs’ are easily dislodged from the caterpillars and can be carried long distances through the air depending on the wind. The concentration is especially high in the immediate vicinity of the nests.
Primary school closed
At the beginning of June, for example, a primary school in the Mettmann district had to be closed for a day after the oak processionary moth was found on 17 trees in the school grounds. The city of Bornheim also recorded an infestation in the middle of last week.
There has been a masterplan to fight the infestation since 2014. “All tree inspectors and all tree care employees have been trained and instructed. The oaks are also randomly tested. If a tree were infested, the area would be sealed off and appropriate signs erected. We work together with several companies who would then vacuum away the nests and caterpillars as quickly as possible,” added Hoffmann.
Ten reports in the last two weeks
The administration has received around ten reports of possible colonisations of the animals in the last two weeks. The city emphasises that none of the cases were actually this caterpillar. However, they are reliant on the help of the population. “We ask anyone who discovers a possible infestation in a public area to take a photo and give details of the location using our defect report (https://anliegen.bonn.de). We will then immediately initiate an examination,” promises Hoffmann.
But the situation is different in your own garden. If the dangerous oak processionary moth is suspected to have settled there, the owner should call in a tree care service or a pest controller. The processionary moth only attacks oaks, especially the common and sessile oak. There are around 4500 oaks in public spaces in Bonn (parks, green areas and roadside verges).
Original text: Gabriele Immenkeppel. Translation: kc
