Remove the nests of processionary caterpillars in the Eastern Pyrenees? Attention danger !
Compared to otherspredators, the caterpillar is only slightly dangerous for the tree which will generally only reduce its growth rings, on the other hand it is a source of problems for humans and probably various animals.
In fact, these caterpillars, like those of some other species of lepidoptera, have (in this species only in the third larval stage, a month and a half after hatching) on the dorsal surface a “stinging apparatus” composed of “microhairs” which are thrown into the air when the caterpillar feels threatened.
This device is made up of small pockets sometimes called “mirrors” which contain a very large number of tiny poisonous darts (microhairs); their strongly stinging nature is due to the fact that the hair when breaking in the body releases a toxin
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How will we fight against processionary caterpillar nests in your home?
Here is a summary of all the possible strategies to ecologically regulate this insect in your home.
- Mechanical control known as “weeding”: for small areas (parks and gardens), it consists of removing and destroying by hand or using tools
(weedblack) clutches and nests. Nests are generally incinerated, avoiding direct contact with the caterpillars' stinging hairs. A gas incinerator is used to burn the nests.
- Caterpillar trapping: a trap called an “ecotrap”, consisting of a gutter connected to a bag, is installed to intercept the caterpillars as they come down from the tree. The removal by incineration of captured insects must be carried out one month after their descent, when they are in the chrysalis stage. Each trap is only effective for one tree.
- Trapping male butterflies: a trap based onpheromonessynthetic sexual molecules (imitating the molecules released by female butterflies to attract partners), suspended in pine trees, attracts male butterflies from the start of the flight (generally from mid-May in an oceanic climate to mid-July in a Mediterranean climate). ) and until the end of the flight (end of October for greater security). Mass trapping would be effective provided that the number of traps is sufficient for the area where they are placed. Be careful, not all pheromones are equally effective and not all traps have the same capture capabilities.
- Chemical treatment by aerial spraying of insecticides, with the failure of affecting other species, or even natural predatory species of the pine processionary moth since this treatment is not selective.
- Biological control: the most used method is the spraying of biotoxins (produced by abacterium, THEBacillus thuringiensis on pine needles, which is effective against caterpillars oflepidoptera. Ingestion of these toxins causes the larvae to die by poisoning. The commercial specialties approved in France have low persistence and very good effectiveness in older stages. Use at the end of autumn provides good protection against this forest pest.
- Biological regulation: Experiments have shown that the smell ofbirchhas a repulsive effect on the processionary.
- Installing tit nest boxes facilitates the nesting of tits and encourages predation by the pine processionary moth. Already demonstrated on other species, biological control (successful in Belgium in the middle ofxxecentury by the Ornithological Reserves of Belgium), would be the massive placement of tit nest boxes (approximately 1 nest box every 30 m). In France, between 6 and 20 nest boxes/ha were tested on several experimental sites (national forest ofMont Ventoux,
Natural Reserve ofthe Holy Victory,Brague Departmental Park- 06) par INRA with the managing partners. The study showed biological regulation against the pine processionary moth without any other management method, according to Jean-Claude Martin of INRA.
Why remove processionary caterpillar nests?
The danger is also significant for pets: a dog with tongue damage (which it may have used to lick the itching on its body) if it is not treated quickly with large doses of
cortisone
, then risks
necrosis
of the language. He will therefore no longer be able to feed himself. It is important to rinse the dog's tongue and mouth with clean water, without rubbing, which would break the caterpillar's stinging hairs and thus release more
toxins
, worsening the animal's condition.
- Installing tit nest boxes facilitates the nesting of tits and encourages predation by the pine processionary moth. Already demonstrated on other species, biological control (successful in Belgium in the middle ofxxecentury by the Ornithological Reserves of Belgium), would be the massive placement of tit nest boxes (approximately 1 nest box every 30 m). In France, between 6 and 20 nest boxes/ha were tested on several experimental sites (national forest ofMont Ventoux,
Natural Reserve ofthe Holy Victory,Brague Departmental Park- 06) par INRA with the managing partners. The study showed biological regulation against the pine processionary moth without any other management method, according to Jean-Claude Martin of INRA.
- Biological regulation: Experiments have shown that the smell ofbirchhas a repulsive effect on the processionary.
- Biological control: the most used method is the spraying of biotoxins (produced by abacterium, THEBacillus thuringiensis on pine needles, which is effective against caterpillars oflepidoptera. Ingestion of these toxins causes the larvae to die by poisoning. The commercial specialties approved in France have low persistence and very good effectiveness in older stages. Use at the end of autumn provides good protection against this forest pest.
- Chemical treatment by aerial spraying of insecticides, with the failure of affecting other species, or even natural predatory species of the pine processionary moth since this treatment is not selective.
- Trapping male butterflies: a trap based onpheromonessynthetic sexual molecules (imitating the molecules released by female butterflies to attract partners), suspended in pine trees, attracts male butterflies from the start of the flight (generally from mid-May in an oceanic climate to mid-July in a Mediterranean climate). ) and until the end of the flight (end of October for greater security). Mass trapping would be effective provided that the number of traps is sufficient for the area where they are placed. Be careful, not all pheromones are equally effective and not all traps have the same capture capabilities.
- Caterpillar trapping: a trap called an “ecotrap”, consisting of a gutter connected to a bag, is installed to intercept the caterpillars as they come down from the tree. The removal by incineration of captured insects must be carried out one month after their descent, when they are in the chrysalis stage. Each trap is only effective for one tree.
Processionary caterpillars in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude, a matter for professionals
Radikal 3D involves more than 120 interventions per year during weeding periods.
This is also more than 1000 ml of ecopiege installed throughout the region.
