HOLIDAYMAKERS and others in the South East are being told to keep alert for plagues of toxic caterpillars. The warning from English Nature, the Government’s wildlife advisers, comes after swarms in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, drove people away from the upmarket resort.
The Brown Tail Tussock Moth caterpillars can cause nasty skin rashes if anyone comes in contact with them.
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The grubs are covered in tiny brown barbed hairs which are invisible to the naked eye but if there is contact with human beings can cause swelling, itching and a rash. If the spines touch the eye some people will suffer mild irritation while others may develop conjunctivitis. In the worst cases, people can be temporarily blinded. Inhalation of the spines can cause coughing. A spokeswoman for English Nature said that the creatures were common throughout the South East and particularly liked coastal areas, cliffs and places with hawthorn, blackberry or gorse bushes.
She said that there could be swarms throughout the South especially as the recent hot spell had forced the bugs from their white silken tents (the term for their nests). Caterpillars are now feeding on bushes along the coast.
There were many more nests this year too because of the mild winter. In harsher conditions the insects are killed off.
Experts now fear the problems could get worse later in the summer when the caterpillars moult and release millions of tiny hairs before pupating and turning into moths. An increase in moths may also lead to bigger problems next year because each moth will lay about 300 eggs on leaves.
The English Nature spokeswoman said that people should report any swarms to their local environmental health team as they could only be eradicated with powerful pesticides.
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Janet Easton, who lives in Frinton, had to have hospital treatment after coming into contact with the brown caterpillars.
Romaine Chelton, on holiday in the town, said: “It has been horrendous. The caterpillars are everywhere all over railings, the promenade and even on the sand. People have been coming out in horrible rashes. It really is very unpleasant.”
Local shopkeepers have also complained that the plague of caterpillars has led to a downturn in trade.
Officials at Tendring Council had attempted to spray areas along the coast with insecticide but now intend to burn the nests this winter.
Anyone who comes into contact with the caterpillars is advised to wash skin irritations immediately with hot soapy water and calamine lotion. People with more serious and persistent symptoms, particularly any affecting the eye or if hairs have been inhaled, must see a doctor.
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The caterpillars are brown with two broken white stripes running along their body and a pair of orange warts near the tail. They become adult moths in late June and July. The adults are white with a brown body with a tuft of brown hair near the tail.