I have just had an email discussion with a Senior Invertebrate Ecologist at English Nature regarding the irritant caterpillars that caused problems at Frenchtek, and similar species that exist in the UK (from the brown-tail moth).
He has advised that there is a real danger of this species becoming established in the United Kingdom due to climate change – once established they are here to stay.
One risk would be from females being introduced via camping equipment or imported goods (the males already fly over here now and then)
A few breeding pairs could easily establish the species – and because of their poisonous nature they have few natural predators. They also present even more danger to humans than the native UK brown-tail species as the European ones “march” in large numbers (They are also called “processionary caterpillars”)
Please check your vehicles and camping equipment, and eliminate any of these creatures you may find alive with any Defra approved pesticide.
Wear PPE such as gloves, masks (you will need to if usingf pesticides) and do not touch the caterpillars or their carcasses). Do not squash them as you may come into contact with the irritant hairs. They are as dangerous dead as they are alive.
- Bury the carcasses.
- Do not let children, domestic pets come into contact with them.
If you or anyone else does suffer a severe allergic reaction , call the Ambulance Service on 999 or 112.
If your pet is affected, call the emergency number of your vet immediately. Just 3 or 4 can kill a large dog.
I do not think there is a major risk to all areas (only hotter parts of the UK) and admittedly my advice does sound like something out of a disaster movie – but having spoken to a friend who was affected by them (he is recovering but still sounds unwell) it is prudent to take heed of what the man from EN says and keep these creatures at bay as much as possible
Remember – their habitats are much the same as our preferred spaces for open-air fun..
this is also a real example of what global warming means…
