Caterpillar Hairs Can Remain Toxic For Several Years

Caterpillar Hairs Can Remain Toxic For Several Years

Caterpillars may look affectionate and kindly due to their deceptively cute appearance. However, many caterpillars can use their fur to cause excessive pain and injury to humans. In addition to causing bodily harm, some caterpillars are also considered pests. The oak processionary caterpillar (OPC) is both a pest to humans and trees. These caterpillars are so problematic in the United Kingdom that government officials have given up efforts to eradicate them. After years of government led efforts to control OPC populations, the government of England has now declared their control efforts to be failures.

Over a decade ago elected officials in the UK enacted programs to eradicate OPC from public areas, such as streets and parks. However, all the money and effort put into these programs may have been a monumental waste, as the situation with OPC has not improved in the country. Actually, the troublesome insects have managed to migrate to new regions in the country. These caterpillars cause painful stings to humans and they destroy oak trees.

The OPC does more than just cause pain to humans. These caterpillars can have a range of disastrous effects on human health. These insects are only around twenty to twenty five millimeters in length. But these caterpillars are coated with sixty two thousand toxic hairs. Wearing clothes will not prevent stings from these caterpillars, as their toxic hairs easily penetrate clothing. The pain caused by their stings can last for an entire month, and symptoms including dizziness, fever, vomiting and skin irritation often occur following a sting. These caterpillars are also known for worsening the symptoms of asthma. In France it has been reported that the OPC’s hairs caused blindness in several individuals after the hairs came into contact with their eyes. The hairs can remain toxic for several years.

The damage that this insect is causing is not just limited to the UK. Other European countries, such as Denmark, have been struggling with these caterpillars for years. OPC have also been damaging oak trees across Europe. Even one of the most renowned of all insect pest innovators, Henry Kuppen, has claimed that OPC can only be eradicated if every oak tree in Europe is cut down. The OPC is one insect that is determined to live by its own rules.

Do you believe that an effective method of controlling OPC populations will be introduced in Europe at any point in the future?