An infestation of harmful caterpillars have destroyed oak trees in Dublin with an urgent warning for members of the public to report sightings.
Nests belonging to the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM), or Thaumetopoea processionea were found in four oak trees in a housing estate in the capital. The invasive creepy crawlies start out as distinctive, "hairy" caterpillars and they pose a health risk to people and animals because of their irritating hairs which can cause allergic reactions or skin rashes.
The OPM caterpillars feed on oak tree foliage and can severely weaken trees. The nests have since been destroyed according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Ireland has a Protected Zone status under the EU Plant Health legislation for this pest.
