Red alert: Oak processionary moth is spreading in Saxony!

Red alert: Oak processionary moth is spreading in Saxony!

What is happening in the nature of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania? The answer is alarming: the oak processionary moth is spreading inexorably. This dangerous pest has recently established itself in Saxony and is causing a lot of worry among people. The pest, which benefits from its habitat in many federal states, is not only a problem for oak trees, but above all for people's health. Loud World The caterpillars of the oak processionary moth can cause caterpillar dermatitis, which leads to severe allergic reactions.

Although the damage to oak trees is still in the background, the health effects of stinging hairs have become more acute in recent years. These fine hairs, which develop from the third larval stage onwards, contain the highly toxic thaumetopoein. This nettle poison, spread by the wind, can cause itching, swelling and even respiratory problems. The symptoms of caterpillar dermatitis are anything but pleasant and can appear immediately upon contact with the stinging hairs of caterpillar species such as the oak processionary moth. The itching and burning sensation, which manifests itself as skin inflammation and hives, is associated with acute hives in about two-thirds of cases, such as Erlangen explained.

The spread of the pest

The oak processionary moth has been appearing more and more frequently in Germany since the 1990s. Many federal states are now affected, including Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Berlin. Jörg Borchardt from the Saxony-Anhalt Forest Competence Center reports that the reproduction of the oak processionary moth has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in central Germany. Due to the climate crisis, which favors mild winters, the pest finds ideal conditions for its spread MDR determines.

The caterpillars' nests, which can reach the size of a football, are a constant threat to health in residential areas. While in some regions, such as the Lüneburg district, nematodes are used to combat the oak processionary moth population, in larger areas helicopters are often used to spray special biocides from the air. These pesticides are specifically approved against the pest and are not intended to have any negative effects on other animal species. However, affected people should avoid the sprayed areas for at least two days.

Take health risks seriously

The caterpillar's stinging hairs pose a serious risk; They can not only cause skin reactions, but also respiratory diseases and eye irritation. It is therefore advisable to immediately report any nests found to the health or horticulture department. However, long-term control of the oak processionary moth remains a challenge and requires a planned approach that also takes people's behavior into account. For ecological reasons, cutting down infected oak trees would not be a solution, as these trees provide a habitat for many insects that depend on the oak.

The next steps to combat it are already being planned for next spring, with a combined approach of various measures being necessary to both protect people's health and preserve the tree population. So it remains exciting to see how the situation in the fight against the oak processionary moth will develop.