Caterpillars of the Oak Silkworm, whose bristles can cause fatal asthma attacks, dizziness, fever, severe skin rashes and throat irritation in humans, have been seen en masse in the southeast of England. The Daily Mail reports.
These caterpillars were allegedly introduced into the country in 2005 along with trees from the Netherlands and are now taking over the British regions at a tremendous speed. On the warnings of the Forestry Commission, they may soon fill all parts of England.
Last week, Norfolk workers took to the battle against thousands of caterpillars seen on the coastal cliffs, and in Cromer town, the tracks were to be cleared of the walking paths that have become impossible to move normally. Caterpillars also frightened campers and tourists.
Every year there are more and more of these caterpillars, and the number of people affected by them also increases. Caterpillar bristles can also irritate the eyes, including blindness, according to doctors.
Four large clusters of caterpillars have also been found in south London and Richmond. They were also found in the London districts of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Southwark, and also in the north of Watford in Hertfordshire. Caterpillars have been seen in Ealing, Tooting and the London suburb of Twickenham, as well as in Epping Forest in Essex.
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To combat these caterpillars in Britain, special traps are used, and insecticides are also sprayed, trying to defeat the caterpillars while they are still in cocoons in the trees. After hatching from eggs, the caterpillars begin to disperse and eat oak leaves with great appetite and speed.
A similar outbreak of this type of caterpillar in Britain occurred in 2016, and then all the means used against them practically did not give any result.