Brown-tailed Moth caterpillars

We’ve got another ‘explosion’ of these caterpillars (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) in the Kingston Hill Fields on the north hedge.

The Brighton & Hove City Council website says the ‘Moth is found in considerable numbers along the coast of South Eastern England and can be a problem in the Brighton & Hove area from spring to summer.’ And goes on to warn that the ‘caterpillars carry up to two million spiked and barbed hairs which can penetrate skin, causing an irritant reaction. For asthmatics and hay fever sufferers, it is important that the hairs are not inhaled as these may cause severe breathing difficulties.’

The wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation says that ‘the caterpillars feed on hawthorn (Crataegus), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) and various fruit trees.’

Interestingly the Brown-tailed moth is predated by the Cuckoo as this excellent article by the James Duncan of the Sussex Wildlife Trust reports.

Thanks Harvey for the photo below and to Terry for alerting us to the caterpillars presence and their potential harmful effects.