Ol' Oak's Tiny Terror Spreads Wide Across Germany
Don't get stung by the oak processionary caterpillar: It's making a comeback, and climate change is to blame.
The Oak Processionary Caterpillar is expanding its territory.
The little b**ches are loving the heat wave. Just like certain mosquito and tick species, the oak processionary caterpillar is reaping the rewards of climate change and is now infesting more parts of Germany. So far, it's taken over in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Now, it's even making its way into Saxony. According to the Forest Protection Institute of the Julius Kühn Institute, it's here and ready to ruin your summer.
The damage to oak trees might not be as bad as the pain this little critter can inflict on you and your pets. With its stinging hairs, this caterpillar packs a punch. These small, bristly hairs contain the venom Thaumetopoein and can cause skin irritations, swelling, and even asthma attacks. Oh, and don't forget about the eye irritations. So, keep your eyes peeled—or maybe your skin is more at risk here.
What's up with these caterpillars?
These little creatures are moths that fly from late July to early September and lay their eggs on oaks. After hatching in mid to late April, these caterpillars feast at night and live in colonies, traveling in processions (hence the name). They can build big, round nests that are about the size of a football.
Stingin' Science Bits
According to some experts, they've been showing up in Germany more frequently since the mid-1990s, likely due to climate change. In Saxony-Anhalt, the state agriculture department even pointed out that warmer temperatures are causing oak trees to bud earlier, making it easier for the caterpillars to thrive.
On the Offensive: Fighting Back with Nematodes
A few regions in Germany, including Lüneburg in Lower Saxony, have been using nematodes—tiny, thread-like worms—to combat the caterpillars. These critters can parasitize insects like caterpillars and, eventually, kill them. Plus, they're harmless to humans and the environment, and they're pretty effective.
The catch? They're light-sensitive, so they're sprayed onto tree crowns after dark. But beware: nematodes as a control method for this specific caterpillar have not been extensively studied in the German context, so their efficacy remains unclear.
References: ntv.de, kst/dpa
- Insects
- Climate change
- Pests
- Butterflies
- The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of insects used in scientific research, acknowledging their importance in medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, and environmental-science.
- Studies suggest that oak processionary caterpillars, though causing harm to oak trees and humans, could partially benefit from climate change as their increased presence in Germany might be due to warmer temperatures.
- While the oak processionary caterpillar infestation continues to spread across Germany, other regions such as Lüneburg in Lower Saxony have opted for environmentally friendly solutions, like using nematodes to combat the pests, without causing additional harm to the environment or human health.
