Oak processionary moth

upupup

Dept of Agriculture:

We are asking for the public and horticulture industry to remain vigilant after we made the first sighting of the oak processionary moth tree pest in Ireland.
Swift action was taken to eradicate the pest including the removal and destruction of the single nest found on the tree.

Tiercel Dave

Just read up on them there, it's worth keeping on top of this one, they don't seem to have any redeeming qualities.....

https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/oak-processionary-moth-help-stop-the-procession.html

axe2grind

The eggs overwinter on the trees and these were imported from Belgium and planted in the Spring.

upupup

I read on the dept of agriculture twitter that it was in the rathfarnham/dundrum area.
https://twitter.com/agriculture_ie/status/1279090832495333377

Alun

Used to get these in the trees in our estate when I lived in the Netherlands. Horrible things. They used to wrap the whole tree on a kind of fleece in an attempt to contain them.

The hairs on the caterpillars are nasty things. They can break off and can cause skin and respiratory problems.