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Posted on 10/13/2006 5:08:09 PM PDT by blam
Moth that can kill humans is found breeding in Britain
By Charles Clover, Environment Editor
(Filed: 14/10/2006)
A moth that can be deadly to humans and strips the leaves off oak trees has been found breeding in Britain in what scientists are saying is the result of climate change.
The Oak processionary moth is believed to have arrived in oak trees imported from Tuscany and planted on a housing development before infesting the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, south-west London.
Teams in breathing apparatus were called in to deal with three outbreaks of the moth at Kew a month ago but the gardens made no announcement at the time, even though the head of the arboretum, Tony Kirkham, has now told the publication, Horticulture Week, that the outbreak was "a severe danger to the public".
advertisement Mr Kirkham told the magazine: "There are deaths – a few a year in Spain. We had to send climbers up wearing breathing apparatus and had to fix the nest with hairspray so the hairs could not dislodge, then we torched them in situ.
"They can defoliate oaks quickly because they are voracious feeders. If they get hold they could cause serious problems."
The existence of the moth came to light when Kew was notified by environmental health officers that residents of the nearby housing development were suffering from a skin irritation.
The problem was traced to the bristles on the Oak processionary moth.
The moth gets its name because of its caterpillars' habit of processing up and down oak trees in a long lines.
Sara Redstone, the plant health officer at Kew, said: "Apparently it is good sport to remove the last in line and the whole lot judder to a halt like the cards in Alice and Wonderland."
This, however, has to be done with some caution, because while the first two stages of larval growth are harmless, the oldest has distinctive long hairs which disguise 63,000 defensive bristles containing toxin.
Even if the larvae are not handled, the hairs break off readily and can become airborne, causing a rash, dermatitis or conjunctivitis and, if inhaled, pharyngitis, asthma and even anaphylaxis though this is highly unusual.
Miss Redstone said that vagrant adult moths had been seen in Britain before but had not been known to breed.
Christine Tilbury, of the Forestry Commission's agency, Forest Research, said: "We are obviously concerned about it. The caterpillars stimulate a severe allergenic reaction in susceptible people.
Where it has occurred on the Continent it has caused a severe skin rash and respiratory tract irritation. We would advise anyone in contact with it to get immediate medical advice."
She added: "It could fly in or come in as eggs on plants. I do not know how you keep it out."
The only good news, according to Miss Redstone, is that the moth is currently in its egg stage, the moths having flown over the summer.
Therefore the moth will not become a human health problem again until May, when it hatches and begins consuming the 80 to 100 Tuscan oaks on the nearby housing development where it is believed to have originated.
She said: "The key thing is to have a plan in place for when they emerge. As an island we have the potential to keep this thing at bay."
The problem is that there seems to be no requirement on anybody to control the moth. The Forestry Commission says it is illegal to import the moth but once here it is not notifiable.
Plant nurseryman say that Britain's policies are based on trade so it does not often ban imports and while imports are checked, it is impossible to spot everything.
A spokesman for Kew said: "As there is currently no specific national mechanism for dealing with this pest, Kew is working closely with the Environmental Health Agency, Defra, Forestry Research and local organisations to monitor the situation and work to tackle the problem."
Just replace MOTH with MUSLIMS in the title....
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LOL!
Does it look like hillary? we might have an outbreak, then.
The Japanese know how to handle this!
This is series.
In one sentence they blame climate change and in the next they say the moths arrived with imported trees.
Richard Gere will get to the bottom of this!
absolutely...lying so fast and frequent even they can't keep up with their own lies!
humans living in europe in the first place is due to climate change
Fear Mongering in the title...
Might as well be Killer Peanuts.
Excellent response. The end of the Ice Age (a serious climate change) provided a climate that allowed humans (not Neanderthals) to migrate into Europe from Pakistan and China.
I see Godzilla, but where is Mothra.
"Richard Gere will get to the bottom of this!"
Yes, but a hampster will get to the bottom of him!
He's, uh...right above him.
I'll put it on my list and worry about it when I get caught up.
hehehe :)
"A moth that can be deadly to humans and strips the leaves off oak trees has been found breeding in Britain in what scientists are saying is the result of climate change."
OK, I give up. What does this have to do with climate change??
They're saying that Britain is now warm enough for them to breed there.
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