Brown tailed moth causing probs

[honeybee]

BBC News Player - Poisonous caterpillar fears

[Fourwings]

A bit of over-stated scare mongering by the press yet again

It is best that you avoid touching these caterpillars but then that goes for several British species, its just a case of common sense, there have been population explosions of both Brown-tail & Yellow-tail moth larva before and as far as I can remember they didn't have to open mass graves to cope

[Gaina]

It must be the evil coming out in me because I am inclined to say anyone who doesn't have the common sense to leave them alone deserves to itch! Surely anyone who thinks they may have a severe reaction (ie they are already have anaphalacsis (sp?)). Would learn to recognise them and steer clear.

Surely they can leave the little blighters alone for a few weeks until they turn into moths .

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by Gaina

It must be the evil coming out in me because I am inclined to say anyone who doesn't have the common sense to leave them alone deserves to itch! Surely anyone who thinks they may have a severe reaction (ie they are already have anaphalacsis (sp?)). Would learn to recognise them and steer clear.

Surely they can leave the little blighters alone for a few weeks until they turn into moths .

Spot-on Gaina, why would anyone want to mess about with them? surely they can look without touching!

One point worth noting is that this species can still cause the same problems as its larva, but not as easily, most of us Moth trappers handle Yellow/Brown Tails with a great deal of respect so as to avoid getting the micro-fine hairs on us that can cause the problems mentioned in the news article.

Steve.

[demicav]

Is it just the caterpillars that cause problems or the moths as well ?

[Wightman]

Just the caterpillars (in my experience). I've handled the moths while photographing them ( they're a pretty moth) without any adverse reaction.

Gary

[Fourwings]

I do know of three people who have had reactions after coming into close contact with the adult moths of this species, in all three cases this was a violent skin reaction, rash, inflamation, itching etc.... nothing remotely fatal, but none-the-less very uncomfortable.

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Gaina

It must be the evil coming out in me because I am inclined to say anyone who doesn't have the common sense to leave them alone deserves to itch! Surely anyone who thinks they may have a severe reaction (ie they are already have anaphalacsis (sp?)). Would learn to recognise them and steer clear.

Surely they can leave the little blighters alone for a few weeks until they turn into moths .

That is a little unfair Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction to a foreign substance. People who are sensitive to this substance won't necessarily be aware of their sensitivity until the first time they are exposed to that substance. I expect this is the case for the majority of people experiencing the discomfort caused by these caterpillars.

I heard a news report about these caterpillars on the radio tonight. Apparently, the infestation is so massive that the air is full of their hairs, and it's not necessary to come into direct physical contact with them to suffer the consequences.
T2

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

That is a little unfair Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction to a foreign substance. People who are sensitive to this substance won't necessarily be aware of their sensitivity until the first time they are exposed to that substance. I expect this is the case for the majority of people experiencing the discomfort caused by these caterpillars.

I heard a news report about these caterpillars on the radio tonight. Apparently, the infestation is so massive that the air is full of their hairs, and it's not necessary to come into direct physical contact with them to suffer the consequences.
T2

Yeah, I've had a serious anaphylactic reaction (try saying that when you're tongue's swollen) and it's not funny.
I understand what fourwings is saying, peoples immediate reaction might be, 'those darn catterpillars' or some such thing and it puts them in a bad light but as you say, on Spurn Head the hairs are just blowing about causing serious probs particularly for the lifeboat crew but it seems to be on a small scale and fairly isolated to the area.

[aeshna5]

There were large numbers of Browntail Moth larvae yesterday at Dungeness RSPB Reserve. I was also pleased to seea Garden Tiger larva wandering for a pupation site near the lighthouse area; used to see lots when I was a teenager, now as rare as hen's teeth!