An invasive species attracts the attention of authorities and scientists UK Because it is considered toxic in the country’s flora. People are being warned about the presence of the mite, which is capable of causing severe skin rashes, eye irritation and asthma attacks in humans and animals.
Invasion of asthma-causing “poisonous caterpillars” worries UK authorities – Photo: Flickr/@Hereistom/Reproduction/NDAccording to the portal R7, the warning goes against the arrival of summer in Europe. During this period, oak crawler caterpillars spread uncontrollably through trees and shrubs. Because the leaves are very beautiful in this season and the plant attracts the attention of these animals.
As stated therein Fiocruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation), the caterpillar is a nocturnal insect that feeds at night and groups in tree trunks during the day.
Caterpillars originate from Portugal
Tametopoia crawler, also known as the “oak crawler”, is the larva of one of the most common moth species in Portugal. As the name suggests, nests are found in the bark of oak trees.
Originally from Portugal, the caterpillar arrived in the UK in 2006, from other parts of Europe. Since then the spread throughout the region has not stopped.
According to data compiled by England’s Forestry Commission in 2022, 225 Britons suffered some adverse effect from the caterpillar. To get an idea, in 2014, there were only 12 cases and in 2019, the number rose to 55 cases.
According to officials, the only way to deal with and kill the caterpillars is by spraying them with a bio-insecticide, which contains a specific bacteria that is deadly to the creatures.
*With information from R7 Portal.
