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  "path": "/news/oak-processionary-moths-britons-stay-vigilant-toxic-caterpillar-sightings",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-28T04:14:28.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Swimmers slammed for disturbing swans after heatwave plunge in London pond",
    "Dog owners used pets for ‘emotional support’ to get seat at restaurants",
    "Scuttle the tortoise rescued after eight-month wander just 300 metres from home",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nBritons are being urged to \"stay vigilant\" after a wave of sightings of toxic oak processionary moth caterpillars across parts of southern England.\n\nThe hazardous insects, which can pose risks to both humans and pets, have recently been spotted in Surrey, including Woking, Weston Green and Ditton Common.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLocal authorities have warned residents to avoid the hairy caterpillars and stay away from affected oak trees and nearby green spaces.\n\nThe pest, which is rarely found in Britain, typically emerges during late spring and early summer, with councils often deploying insecticide treatments to tackle outbreaks.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThe latest sightings come after a significant outbreak across south east England in 2023.\n\nContact with the caterpillars can cause skin rashes, eye irritation, sore throats and breathing difficulties.\n\nThe danger comes from thousands of tiny hairs covering the insects, which can become airborne and spread through the wind.\n\nThese hairs contain thaumetopoein - a toxin that becomes more potent as the caterpillars mature.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOlder caterpillars are considered particularly hazardous.\n\nThe insects also construct distinctive white silk nests that contain the irritating hairs and can trigger itchy skin and throat problems.\n\nElmbridge Borough Council said multiple nests had been discovered locally and warned residents to avoid several parks and green spaces while treatment takes place.\n\nA council spokesman said: \"For your own safety, we ask that you avoid the affected areas while spraying is taking place.\n\n### ANIMALS - READ THE LATEST:\n\n\n\n\n  * Swimmers slammed for disturbing swans after heatwave plunge in London pond\n  * Dog owners used pets for ‘emotional support’ to get seat at restaurants\n  * Scuttle the tortoise rescued after eight-month wander just 300 metres from home\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWe will do our best to keep disruption to a minimum and will clearly signpost all spraying areas in advance.\"\n\nThe caterpillars were also found in Woking this week, raising concerns the infestation could spread further across the region.\n\nWoking Borough Council has urged residents to report sightings and avoid touching the insects.\n\nThe species is believed to have first arrived in Britain more than 20 years ago through imported oak trees from southern Europe.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAndrew Hoppit, oak processionary moth project manager at the Forestry Commission, warned during the previous outbreak: \"Please do not approach the caterpillars especially children who can become rather interested in the processions and especially the hairy nature of them.\n\n\"They look cute but unfortunately they can cause nasty rashes and conjunctivitis.\"\n\nThe Government’s chief plant health officer, Nicola Spence, has previously said officials are continuing efforts to limit the spread of the pest.\n\nShe said last year: \"The oak processionary moth is an insect pest of oak trees and poses a threat to both plant and human health.\"\n\nMs Spence added that authorities take \"the management of the moth very seriously and has a robust programme in place to reduce the level of pest prevalence and protect oak resource, whilst supporting landowners to manage the risks associated with the moth in the areas where it has been identified\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Britons urged to ‘stay vigilant’ over toxic garden-dwelling caterpillar after wave of sightings"
}