The Oak Processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) is a moth whose caterpillars are pests in oak forests and pose a health hazard because of their poisonous setae (hairs), which may cause skin irritation and asthma.
The moths are widely distributed in central and southern Europe, and are occasionally found as far north as Sweden. In the southern countries of Europe the populations are controlled by natural predators, but these predators do not exist in northern Europe. Their range is expanding northward, possibly or partly as a result of global warming.
Sittings have become more numerous in the UK over recent years. This Year Larvae hatched about 20 days earlier than normal, because of a warm April, into prime conditions with oak trees produce a lot of sugar in their leaves in the sunny weather. This means that the caterpillars that eat these leaves receive plenty of nourishment before becoming moths.
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