Monday 04 November 2013
Media enquiry from Juliet Pouteaux, Guernsey Press:
I was hoping you could help me with a media request about browntail moth larvae.
I have been told the department will hopefully be spraying soon to tackle the problem bugs on Lihou.
I was hoping to find out where the moth 'tents' have been spotted, how bad the problem is, when they will be treated and why?
Environment Department's response:
Browntail moth larvae are hibernating on bramble on the north side of Lihou. Until recently the small grey striped caterpillars were feeding on bramble leaves and they are now dormant in the white cocoon silk 'tents' they spin.
The tents will be cut out by hand over the winter, bagged up and disposed through landfill at Mont Cuet. Guernsey Conservation Volunteers will be on Lihou on Saturday 2nd November (weather permitting) to start removing the tents. The Environment Department is grateful to GCV for their assistance with this work. Other work groups will be arranged to continue the removal of tents over the winter.
There is no plan to spray Lihou with chemicals as this would destroy a large number of other insects which birds are dependent upon through the cold months of the year.
If the tents are left in place the caterpillars would emerge next spring in warm weather. Browntail moth caterpillars would usually be eaten by Cuckoos but Guernsey has had very few records of Cuckoo sightings in recent years. In the absence of a natural predator it is very likely the caterpillars would thrive unless action was taken to deal with them during this dormant phase.
The adult caterpillars have brittle hairs that can cause itching and irritation for some sensitive people, those with asthma or other breathing difficulties may also be affected.
ENDS
