Toxic caterpillars invade!

Coast plagued by bugs that cause rashes, headaches and sight loss

ThOUSanDS of toxic caterpillars will be culled from cliffs on the coast this week over fears they could harm the public.

Footpaths in Cromer, norfolk, have been taped off to try to prevent walkers coming into contact with the brown tail moth caterpillar.

hairs on the insects can break off as barbs which blow away on the wind. These can then get into the eyes and lungs and cause severe reactions, including rashes, headaches, breathing difficulties and even sight loss.

The UK-native species, which have two distinctive orange dots on their backs and grow up to 1.5in long, are covered in prickles to deter predators.

Members of the public exposed to the caterpillars are advised to wash their hands and rinse out their eyes with eyewash. If symptoms are severe or persistent, people are urged to seek medical treatment.

The caterpillars spend the winter months in tough webbing nests and emerge in spring to feed communally until around the end of May. north norfolk district council said: ‘In response to public concerns about the caterpillars, we will remove and destroy some … in the next few days. We will remove the caterpillars closest to the footpaths and access points used by the public. The caterpillars well away from the footpaths … will not be removed.’ anyone attempting to remove the caterpillar cocoons is told to cover as much of their skin as possible in strong, impervious clothing.

In recent weeks, there have also been warnings about an outbreak of oak processionary moth caterpillars in London and spreading across the South East. These can cause severe allergic reactions and potentially fatal asthma attacks.

The moths were accidentally introduced from southern Europe in 2005. On the continent, numbers are controlled by predators, but the species has thrived in England despite extensive efforts by authorities to stop its spread.

The biggest infestations were recorded in Greater London, stemming from Kingston-uponThames in the south-west to Brent in the north. But further outbreaks have been reported in Berkshire and Surrey.

Each oak processionary moth caterpillar has 63,000 hairs and experts have warned the barbs, which are shed and fired in selfdefence, can be carried long distances in the wind.