Berlin Battles Poisonous Caterpillars on 2,000 Trees as 39-Acre Park and Schools Face Warnings
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 23
Berlin Battles Poisonous Caterpillars on 2,000 Trees as 39-Acre Park and Schools Face Warnings
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 23
Summary
Berlin crews are vacuuming toxic oak processionary moth nests from 2,000 infested trees in Jungfernheide park, with workers in protective gear targeting branches about 20 meters high.
The operation aims to contain—not eradicate—the outbreak because each caterpillar carries about 700,000 barbed toxic hairs that can spread by wind and trigger rashes, conjunctivitis, breathing problems and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.
Spandau authorities have told residents to avoid the 39-acre Wilhelm-von-Siemens-Park as well as nearby schools, daycare centers and streets, while several major Berlin green spaces have been taped off.
Berlin officials say sightings are higher than last year, with hotspots in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Spandau and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg; one crew recently spent a full day clearing a single tree with 800 nests.
The outbreak also extends to Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, and experts link the moth’s growing spread northward in Germany to hotter, drier weather, climate change and biodiversity loss.