Helicopters will spray trees to tackle spread of oak processionary moth

 
Hairy pest: oak processionary moth larvae can cause rashes
Lindsay Watling7 May 2013

Helicopters are to be called in to spray woodland to try to combat the spread of caterpillars which are stripping oak trees bare.

The oak processionary moth, native to southern and central Europe, has become established in south-west London and the home counties since its arrival in 2006, sparking concerns at the Forestry Commission.

Previous attempts to eradicate the insect, which can cause serious health problems in humans, from the ground have failed, prompting the aerial approach which is to be tested on trees near Pangbourne in Berkshire.

Conservation groups have criticised the move as “using a sledgehammer to crack a nut” and raised fears the pesticide will also kill off other species of moths and butterflies, in turn reducing food supplies for other animals higher up the food chain.

But the commission, which is urging the public to help monitor the spread of the moth, insisted using the toxin Bacillus thuringiensis, authorised by Natural England, posed no risk to humans or animals.

The site, Herridge’s and Broom copses near Pangbourne which is partly privately owned, will be targeted twice over a seven to 14-day period.

It is also home to rare butterfly species including the rare silver-washed fritillary, white admiral and the scarlet tiger moth. The purple emperor species are found nearby.

Much of Pangbourne falls within one of the country’s 4,000 sites of special scientific interest and as such is a protected area.

Concern is growing that moth, which has no predators in the UK, is beyond eradication in the south-west of England.

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