Eichen processionary spinner: Prignitz fights against dangerous caterpillars!

Eichen processionary spinner: Prignitz fights against dangerous caterpillars!

Bad Wilsnack, Deutschland - This season, the oak processionary moth shows itself as a serious problem in the Prignitz district. Like the Märkische Allgemeine reports that the spread of the furrowed butterfly larval caution has expanded more than expected. The towns of Quitzöbel are particularly affected in the Bad Wilsnack/Weisen office and in the office in Lenzen-Elbtalaue.

The caterpillars of the oak processionary spinner are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a health risk. Their burning hair contains a nettle poison that can cause skin reactions, breathing difficulties and allergic reactions. The fight against these larval populations has been running since 2013, and this year around 13,000 trees were treated along the district roads, based on the data of the previous year. However, newly infected or unmelded trees were not taken into account in the current use. However, these undiscovered trees are unfortunately the source of new burner hair and spinest nests.

Current measures

To get the spread under control, the district administration plans to suck off the nests in Bad Wilsnack from mid -July. "We rely on reports of affected trees," explains a spokesman for the district administration. The decision about the measures to combat lies in the hands of the municipalities, construction load carriers or owners. The administration coordinates the control and awards the work bundled, with some of the costs being covered by the district.

Extent measures are planned for the future: Intensive discussions on a larger control campaign in the coming spring 2026 are already running. You want to bring all relevant players to a table to cope with the situation together.

health risks

The main risk groups that are in the affected areas are especially children, walkers and residents near oak stands. According to Netdoktor , the brain hair of the oak procession spinner has to cause the potential to cause violent skin and respiratory reactions. Even without direct contact with the caterpillars, the wind can lead to the spread of the fine hairs, which increases the danger.

When this burner hair comes into contact with the skin, caterpillar matitis can occur, which manifests itself through symptoms such as itching, reddening of the skin and blisters. Heavy allergic reactions, such as the possibility of an anaphylactic shock, are rare, but not to be ruled out, such as AOK . Uncovered parts of the body, such as the arms and face, are particularly at risk, which is why the clarification of the risks and reporting of affected trees are of great importance.

The citizens are therefore asked to inform their communities as quickly as possible in the event of affected trees in order to take countermeasures at an early stage. It is in our interest to preserve the health and security of the population and to contain the spread of these annoying and harmful caterpillar stocks.